Symphony orchestra performance space auditorium stacked seating view inside the Symphony Orchestra rehearsal space, designed by KIRK studio for the ABC Headquarters building in Southbank, Australia. Down lighting and acoustic ceiling barriers. Timber accents, steps and floors.

ABC Symphony Orchestra

Cultural & Public, Commercial

Media production studio inside the KIRK studio designed ABC Headquarters building in Southbank, Australia. Man playing drum inside black sound and media production room.  internal timber framed window view from media studio into symphony rehearsal space.

ABC Symphony Orchestra

Cultural & Public, Commercial

Production studio sound equipment inside studio with window overlooking symphony orchestra rehearsal space, designed by KIRK studio Architects.

ABC Symphony Orchestra

Cultural & Public, Commercial

Rehearsal space for Queensland Symphony Orchestra. interior clad with timber floor, wall paneling and seating inside the KIRK studio designed ABC Headquarters building in Southbank, Australia.

ABC Symphony Orchestra

Cultural & Public, Commercial

Project Index

ABC Symphony Orchestra

South Bank, Brisbane The purpose-built, 600m² Media Production Studio (MPS) functions uniquely as a rehearsal space for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) and as a TV & Radio production studio for the ABC. The AEB Auditorium was conceived as a flagship space for how the didactic pedagogy of the conventional auditorium could be transformed to one built around a performance-based mode.

Client
Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Area
600m²

Traditional Custodians of the land
The Turrbal and Jagera people

Status
Complete

Fine-tuned

Virtual acoustic modelling resulted in the design of operable acoustic paneling (absorbers, and reflective and diffusing elements), fine-tuned by KIRK and acoustic engineer ARUP in an iterative process. Numerous design modes manipulate operable elements and allow the MPS to cater for a diverse range of orchestral music, as well as radio and television production.

Richard Kirk has concentrated a pronounced expression of the ABC's function and purpose in an emblematic crescendo of form and space...

Michael Keniger
Architecture Australia May/June 2013

The number of seats, 500, was critical in allowing facial recognition between presenter and the entire audience, irrespective of seat location. The concrete balcony wings provide an “embrace” to the space and enhance the sense of drama as a performance experience


Acoustic Consultants Arup
Contractor Leighton
Photographer Christopher Frederick Jones & Scott Burrows

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