The brief assigned us to design a community and co-working facility in the Chippendale suburb of Sydney. The urban site, located at Myrtle and Pine Street, contains an existing three-storey converted warehouse that must be retained and adapted for re-use, and a single-storey child-care centre that can be demolished. Adjacent to the site, but not part of, is the Pine Street Art Gallery.

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Initial site studies of the vicinity revealed an abundance of visual art galleries in the Chippendale area, however, what was lacking were the presence of performing arts spaces. I felt that there was potential for the site to serve as a community dance facility to promote and revive the local dance scene.

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The existing Federation-style warehouse provides opportunities for innovative adaptations and re-use, potentially for a rooftop intervention. I decided to repurpose the existing warehouse into space for 4 formal dance studios and a store area for local artistes to promote their work. The new extension would then serve as a community area and performance space for visitors.

 

Explorations of materiality contrast against the plastered brick texture of the existing warehouse were considered. I researched on cross-laminated and glued-laminated timber construction, its integration with existing masonry and steel, waterproofing techniques and suitable timbers, to devise a timber structure that would evoke a light and airy atmosphere reflective of an open dance space. 

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High performance techniques such as heat displacement and UV mitigation were also considered through the integration of accessible green roofs and clerestory louvres in the design.