CATEGORY: Commercial up to $500,000

PROJECT BRIEF

Home to Queensland Ballet since 1991, the revitalised Thomas Dixon Centre is a landmark performing arts destination. Penfold Projects’ expansion works for the heritage building transformed it into a spectacular new arts hub for Brisbane. 

Shapes and symmetry in the landscape works bring the traditional beauty associated with the Queensland Ballet to the exterior, while climbing vines take the greenery of the outside into the hallways.

The use of reclaimed floorboards and decorative gravel with rounded finish in river pebbles, as opposed to modern or minimalist materials, work in harmony with the traditional exterior of the building, which as a heritage listing, cannot be changed. But the remodel is not without its modern aspects. Custom-made corten steel planter boxes were installed to various areas and a green wall system was mounted to a concrete structure. Timber decking platforms and seats were fitted including LED strip lighting. A water feature including excavation, reinforcement, formwork and angle pool frame was also built as part of the hardscape works.

JUDGING COMMENTS

This commercial project boasts conscientious attention to detail with a well-considered blend of materials. All details of the construction have been flawlessly executed. The planting has been carefully considered with both indoor and outdoor plants thriving from well-considered planting and irrigation. The care and craftsmanship shine through in both hardscape and softscape elements, perfectly complementing this sophisticated upgrade of a heritage building.