The Adelaide Festival Centre’s Western Plaza is set to undergo a $35-million transformation to improve accessibility and circulation around the precinct.
Officially opened by then-prime minister Gough Whitlam on 2 June 1973, the original centre – designed by John Morphett of Hassell and Partners – was added to the SA Heritage Register in 1997. The centre has been in the spotlight frequently over the past 12 months, with the celebration of its fiftieth anniversary and concurrent receiving of the John Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture at the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects’ South Australian Chapter awards.
Now, the South Australian government has revealed that the Western Plaza will be upgraded, with designs completed by Cox Architecture. The new design – which has been reviewed by the State Heritage Architect and subsequently received planning approval – will enable improved pedestrian access to the Dunstan Playhouse and the Space Theatre from the Northern Promenade and Walk of Fame.
A new lift will be established near the Dunstan Playhouse.
Image:
Cox Architecture
A new lift will be established near the Dunstan Playhouse to bridge the five-metre vertical drop between the Western Plaza and the Northern Promenade. The South Australian government said the replacement of the existing switchback ramp with a lift will be a “big improvement” for “families with strollers and mobility aid users.”
An extensive series of works will simultaneously be carried out on the fire and safety systems, including smoke detection and occupant warning system enhancements, emergency lighting improvement or replacement, and sprinkler system upgrades.
The Western Plaza works are the latest in a series of redevelopments to the Adelaide Festival Centre complex – following on from the Adelaide Festival Centre building renewal by Hassell, and the redesign of Festival Plaza and Station Road by ARM Architecture, in collaboration with TCL and Aspect Studios.
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and artistic director Douglas Gautier said he was pleased with the announcement that the Western Plaza would now also be updated.
“We look forward to seeing the benefits this investment will have for the Adelaide Festival Centre as the pre-eminent arts venue in Adelaide, and for our audiences and artists.”
The Western Plaza works will commence in 2025.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
