WA State Theatre

WA State Theatre Centre Courtyard

Category: Commercial

Owner: Department of Culture and the Arts, Western Australia
Location: 174 William St, Perth
Architect: Kerry Hill Architects
Builder: John Holland Group
Bricklayer: C & L Barden

Brick manufacturer: Austral Bricks
Product: Bowral Blue

Brick manufacturer: Austral Bricks
Product: London Blue

Project description:

The architecture of the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia arises from a dialogue of opposing forces:

A sense of darkness and light.
An expression of mass and transparency.
A language that is robust and delicate.

The building volumes are clearly articulated on the site. The theatres are stacked vertically, freeing up space on the site for a courtyard. Foyers are on the perimeter of the site.

By day, these exterior volumes rest calmly. Dark and robust materials: black metal and paneled concrete, form a protective shell. As night descends the volumes begin to glitter and glow. The foyers are multi-leveled and veiled in delicate gold screen.

A generous staircase leads to the 575 seat Heath Ledger Theatre: a curved timber drum. Within the drum is an interior world of warm timber and gold hues. The 200 seat Studio Underground is located below the Heath Ledger Theatre. Descending from the entry level, one enters a subterranean world of dark bricks and ply panels.

The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia imparts a spatial drama to the experience of attending the theatre. The robust exterior of the building opens and reveals crafted interior spaces that unfold, surprise and delight.