Sydney firm Brewster Hjorth will lead the detailed design for the new $20 million home for the Orange Regional Conservatorium, the local council has announced.
The proposed facility will include a 250-seat auditorium (with capacity built in for an additional 48 seats or additional stage), a 74-seat planetarium auditorium, 40 practice studios and rehearsal spaces as well as front- and back-of-house facilities, a bar and kitchen, and office space. It will be built on March Street alongside the city library and North Court area. A living green wall will wrap around the building’s perimeter, integrating landscape and built form.
Planning approval was granted in 2020 based on concept plans also prepared by Brewster Hjorth. Detailed design is scheduled for completion by mid-2022.
The project received a $10 million grant from the federal government and Orange City Council has allocated $5 million towards the project, including the proceeds of the future sale of the current conservatorium site in Hill Street.
Orange Regional Conservatorium by Brewster Hjorth.
Councillors also recently committed to providing the remaining $5 million if other grant opportunities do not eventuate, though Orange mayor Reg Kidd said he was hopeful the conservatorium-planetarium would be supported by the New South Wales government.
“The concept plans are already at a very advanced stage thanks to years of work and consultation with the community,” he said.
“This is going to be a building that’s going to be in use for generations, so we want to do the best we can. With more than 1,400 enrolments this is already one of the biggest education facilities in the city and this project will ensure there is room for growth into the second half of this century.”
Former Conservatorium Committee chair and current councillor Russell Turner said the value of the project would be “huge” for Orange.
“When someone is deciding whether to move here and open a new business, it’s our city’s rich cultural life that can make all the difference,” he said.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
