Ngunnawal
ACT
The Daramalan College performing arts centre is the result of an intense, year-long collaborative design process. It is an important addition to the school鈥檚 ongoing commitment to the arts, allowing students to learn the artistic, performance and professional aspects of theatre and music.
The centre鈥檚 black box theatre is supported by change rooms, green rooms, music teaching rooms, drama teaching spaces, a band room, sound-insulated practice rooms and a staff office. High acoustic performance requirements varied between each space and demanded a highly coordinated approach – balancing acoustic outcomes and design intent.
The efficient planning of the building reduces embodied energy, orientation capitalises on northern aspects and its design minimises the need for mechanical heating and cooling. It incorporates rainwater harvesting for irrigation and capacity for future solar panel array.
At the time of design, it was the first building in Australia to specify locally made, certified carbon neutral bricks.
Stewart Architecture has meticulously designed a new performing arts educational space at Daramalan College, creating a striking new public gateway and expansion to the campus. The building celebrates theatrical metaphors, with a refined red brick fa莽ade that evokes the vertical folds of stage curtains. Emerging from behind this articulated and draped brick form are the white rehearsal spaces and the theatre鈥檚 black box, carefully arranged to provide curated views across the school campus.
A dramatic white canopy, resembling a stage curtain, marks the entrance and introduces the central foyer, continuing the theatrical narrative. Inside, the expressive yet simple design enhances the experience鈥攏atural and applied lighting work in harmony to create moments that are both welcoming and dramatic. Interior features such as coved stairs and curved bulkheads, windows, and screening subtly echo the continued performance motifs.
Rich red and timber finishes heighten the drama within the theatre, which is comprehensively equipped for teaching and production. Facilities include a flexible performance space, lighting and sound controls, a walkable services grid, star dressing rooms, box office, and diverse rehearsal areas. This performing arts centre stands as a landmark in both design and educational impact, enriching the school community and leaving a lasting architectural legacy.
The Daramalan Performing Arts Centre reinterprets the school鈥檚 red-brick heritage with a playful, contemporary twist. Blending tradition with innovation, the building celebrates theatrical metaphors with a refined brick fa莽ade that evokes the vertical folds of stage curtains. The entire building is positioned to offer curated views and a new public interface for the campus.
Founded in Canberra in 1962, Daramalan College features a campus language of red brick, low set buildings. In introducing the newest, Stewart Architecture has translated tradition into a new language that is both respectful of the past and playful with the future. Red bricks dance around the performative black box theatre and use a lightness of touch to suggest a place of creativity exists within.
Designed for approach from multiple angles, the centre welcomes visitors and students alike beneath portico frames and a sweeping white canopy. The internal street welcomes all and offers a duality of function, as both a place of education and of performance. As one moves through the space, each new space offers consideration, skill and joy. Designed to educate across all roles of performance, spaces include both front and back of house, music and stage craft.
Daramalan Performing Arts Centre will provide a gem for both the school and wider community to enjoy for generations.
Hannah Walsh successfully undertook the role of project lead, delivering the Daramalan Performance Arts Centre from design to handover. While managing evolving project requirements, she maintained and developed the design intent of a black box theatre within an articulated, performative brick fa莽ade that wraps separate functional spaces, frames breakout terraces, and features openings that connect to the campus and Sullivans Creek. Hannah鈥檚 leadership extended to advocating for sustainable materials and systems, including independently pursuing carbon neutral certification for the brickwork.
As a key addition to the school鈥檚 commitment to the arts, the 275-seat theatre enables students to explore the artistic, performance, and technical aspects of theatre and music. A key feature is the inclusion of a tension wire ceiling, allowing students to engage safely with the technical components of a professional theatre at height. In keeping with this ethos, Hannah led junior team members and fostered an inclusive design process. Through involvement in coordination meetings, workshops, client presentations, and site visits, Hannah created meaningful opportunities for emerging professionals to build confidence and develop skills. Her ability to balance creative vision with practical, collaborative execution resulted in a highly resolved project that strengthened the capability and confidence of all involved in its delivery.
鈥漇tewart Architecture developed a winning design. The team were wonderful to work with. They delivered an excellent result that really serves the school鈥檚 needs perfectly.鈥�
HUGH BOULTER, BUSINESS MANAGER
DARAMALAN COLLEGE 2024
Hannah Walsh, Project Architect
Felicity Stewart, Design Architect
Mark Craswell, Design Architect
Marney Burns, Interior Designer
Kathreen Suarez, Interior Designer
Jonathan Le Chung, Architectural Student
Hannah Cooper, Interior Designer
Arrow Project Management, Project Manager
Eric Martin & Associates, Access Consultant
Lit Consulting, Fire Engineer
Capital Certifiers, Certifier
Harris Hobbs Landscape, Landscape Consultant
Guz Boz Design + Audio, AV Consultant
ACOR Consultants, Acoustic Consultant
ACOR Consultants, Civil Consultant
ACOR Consultants, Electrical Consultant
ACOR Consultants, ESD Consultant
ACOR Consultants, Hydraulic Consultant
ACOR Consultants, Mechanical Consultant
ACOR Consultants, Structural Engineer
Thor’s Hammer, Timber Consultant
Setting Line, Theatre Specialist