The Concourse

Chatswood is dominated by large, internalised retail complexes. The City of Willoughby set out to make a public place with no pressure to purchase, and The Concourse gives the centre over 5,000 sqm of accessible open space with a better northerly aspect.

Below these hovering ribbons that hold the concert hall and theatre volumes, the other facilities are accommodated within the terraces and platforms of the stone podium. This stone base is an interpretation of the stone ridge that stretches from the city into the northern suburbs, which formed the spine of settlement.

A civic place in Chatswood

Chatswood is the third largest retail centre in Australia, behind the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs. It is dominated by large, internalised retail complexes and intense retail activity. It was into this context that the City of Willoughby decided to make a public place devoted to creativity, learning and debate as a relief to the compulsion to purchase. After over ten years of debate and intense consultation which culminated in a popular vote, the project for a civic place was realised. A public open space, where there is no pressure to purchase, is at the centre of a complex of artistic performance venues, library and community function rooms — The Concourse.

The lowering of many of the facilities under the podiums resolved a series of challenging brief requirements and the overshadowing issues of southern orientation. The built form, which could have occupied the full footprint of the site many times over, offers over 5,000 square metres of accessible open space with significantly improved northerly aspect. One of the largest and busiest municipal libraries in Australia is also achieved on a single level.

Performing arts facilities

The Concourse consists of a matrix of interwoven performing-arts facilities. Vastly contrasting functional requirements work harmoniously and in close proximity to each other, including a 1,000-seat concert hall, a 500-seat theatre, rehearsal spaces, exhibition, multi-purpose hall and function rooms.

The concert hall is conceived as a “boat-like” interior of timber “floating” in a dark spot-lit space where the focus is on the performance stage within a “sea” of sound.

The theatre

The theatre provides a venue to foster the local performing arts communities. It provides professional full-stage and fly-tower facilities and the seating stretches around and above the stage such that the audience embraces the performers.

Most important has been the creation of a true public space that is now the focus for the civic and cultural ceremonies and events of the people of Willoughby.

Explore the architecture (libraries) and interiors of The Concourse.

Awards
2012	Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter)	Public Architecture Award
2012	World Architecture Festival	Completed Buildings: Civic and Community, shortlist
2012	World Architecture Festival	Completed Buildings: Culture, shortlist