Raising the Barre.
In 2022 the State heritage listed and State-owned Thomas Dixon Centre opened its doors, revitalised as a centre of wellness, art, and performance for the State of Queensland, Queensland Ballet and wider Arts community.
The new design expands the offerings and capacity of the centre and include a new performance studio with tiered seating, practice studios, change facilities, dressing rooms, wardrobe & costume, administration spaces, outdoor garden spaces, public areas, restaurant and rooftop bar, ground and basement car parking and other support facilities.
The community are invited into the Home of the Queensland Ballet, offering glimpses behind the curtain. Visitors can observe day to day activities – the creative process in the wardrobe and production workshop, sneak-a-peek into the Company’s hero studio as rehearsals occur or watch the production crew in action as they prepare the stage, scenery and lighting effects from above a tension net.
Designed by Conrad Gargett, the architectural response is a considered union of heritage and new build. It presents an elegant starting point from which to design the wayfinding and sign family.
The visual communication elements are sympathetically designed to reciprocate the graceful architectural languages, bringing together form and environmental graphics into an ensemble – floating, folded, wrapped, draped, restrained and disciplined.
The redevelopment enriches people’s lives through ballet, deepening connections with the company’s current audience and inspiring future generations of dancers, artists, technicians, dance/ sports medicine specialists and more, with a new level of accessibility to all aspects of the performances.
Wayfinding and Signage
Dotdash
Architect
Conrad & Gargett
Structural Engineers
Bligh Tanner
Theatre Consultant
Richard Stuart
Photography
Alanna McTiernan
Christopher Frederick Jones
