Site Vision
The Civic Place Masterplan (2003)
The Masterplan, and all design principles for Civic Place are detailed in the Civic Place Chatswood Masterplan Report prepared by MGT Architects (now fjmt) in June 2003.
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The Civic Place Masterplan 2004
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Aerial drawn map of Civic Palce
The Civic Place Masterplan proposes the following facilities:
Library
The new Willoughby City Library is a major component of the Civic Place Masterplan and its development is a community priority. The Library is to be located over two levels (the upper level being foyer space) and has an area in excess of 5000sqm, making it one of the largest Local Council Library Buildings in Australia.
The Library is entered from the lower Podium level as well as from Ferguson Lane. The lower level main library is reached by a broad internal stair, and a lift that also connects to the car park levels below.
The main level of the Library houses virtually all the library functions and is designed around a light and water court that offers a tranquil focal point for library users. The extensive glazing on all four sides of the water court brings in light to the equivalent of more than sixty metres in length of external windows.
Concert Hall
The Masterplan proposes that the new Concert Hall be located at the corner of Anderson Street and Victoria Avenue, at an upper level. Separate retail facilities are proposed beneath the Concert Hall at ground level and at a lower basement level along Anderson Street and Victoria Avenue.
The Concert hall is entered from Civic Place via a broad flight of stairs from the lower level open space. Alternative entry through the Box Office/Foyer is also proposed, where lifts can take patrons to any of the Concert Hall main floor levels. The Brief for the Concert Hall requires a facility seating 1000, including choir stalls. Back of house areas will include Dressing Rooms, Warm up/Rehearsal areas, a Green Room and other spaces as required by the Planning Brief. Some of these support areas are to be shared with the theatre.
Theatre
The new Civic Place Theatre is located at the corner of Anderson Street and Ferguson Lane, where the bulk of the fly tower will have minimal overshadowing impact on the central open space. The Theatre is entered from Civic Place (lower level) and is interconnected also at the upper level podium. Preliminary studies of various theatre designs have indicated that the ideal arrangement is where the stage is at the same level as Ferguson Lane, and loading direct to stage level from delivery vehicles is achievable. The theatre plan places the audience over two levels, thereby facilitating use of the upper level terrace at intervals, or for corporate events. Back of house zones of the theatre are over several levels, with an entrance lobby on Anderson Street.
The Theatre and adjacent Concert Hall share Box Office facilities and various other back of house areas.
Civic Hall
A third, flat floor, multipurpose facility was identified as necessary by the Civic Place Cultural Facilities Needs Study undertaken by Positive Solutions in November 2000. There is significant public demand for a flat floor function space that can accommodate events such as community, cultural and corporate events, including classes and workshops, exhibitions, dinners, lectures, training and civic functions.
The Masterplan initially proposed the Multipurpose Hall be located as part of the Archer Street Precinct, below the Boutique Hotel, in the commercial building that will fill the land area between Mills and Ferguson Lane, and the Archer Street frontage.
As a result of a value management study conducted during the Schematic Design Phase, the Multipurpose Hall was relocated to the main site, and positioned directly above the Library.
Rehearsal studio and spaces
The Masterplan originally made provision for 825sqm of Rehearsal and Community Spaces available at a lower ground level in the Archer Street Precinct. Although these facilities made good use of a lower ground space that was not ideally suited to retail or commercial use, the rehearsal space was nevertheless a considerable distance from the other performing arts facilities and back of house spaces. These spaces were consequently reduced in size to approximately 450sqm, still maintaining floor area equal to the theatre stage. Three small offices for casual hire were included in the design, located adjacent to the rehearsal space, and the complete facility relocated to below the concert hall, ensuring good access from Anderson Street and easy access to the back of house facilities that serve the other performing arts venues. The availability of these spaces for rehearsals, workshops, student and entry level performances, meetings, break out rooms, as a supplementary conference facility, or for dances and classes will be welcomed by a range of users including potentially, the local television, radio and broadcast organisations, and emerging artists.
Visual Arts Exhibition space
Provision for visual arts exhibitions has been long sought after by the community. A visual arts exhibition space of 92 sqm has been planned for the western end of the site, with a frontage to Anderson Street, adjacent to the through site link (foyer) leading to the theatre on the ground floor.