Winner 2002 Sir John Sulman Award for Public and Commercial Buildings
NSW Royal Australian Institute of Architects

The redevelopment of the existing National Institute of Dramatic Art facility comprised construction of a new 11,500 sq m building to house a contemporary theatre with seating for an audience of 750; a studio sound stage with post-production facilities; rehearsal space; and a multimedia performance library.

Construction of the new building utilised a concrete frame and structural steel roof clad in grey Colourbond. Throughout the building concrete, glass and steel finishes were used extensively. Environmentally sustainable principles were an important element in the design of the new facility and are highlighted by the giant ‘veil’ of aluminium louvres on a structural steel frame. The veil juts skyward through the glass roof of the foyer reflecting light and channelling air into the building. The foyer is 1000 square metres in area with a ceiling height of 11 metres and in winter it is heated heated via hot water coils installed in the polished concrete floor.