The Round

The building is on a generous council-owned site surrounded by suburban parkland and plenty of mature trees. There is a residential area to the immediate north and northwest, the carpark and sporting fields to the east, Whitehorse Road and the council buildings to the south, and parkland to the west and southwest.

The building needed to face and respect all these contextual influences: it could have no back. Therefore, we have designed it in the round.

The concept grew from a map we created with each of the contextual influences as a circle. The area left between the circles became the building’s footprint: a shape with five concave curved facades, each embracing a separate landscape territory. The building is multifaceted, both functionally and in its attitude and character. With no traditional ”back”, the building presents an inclusive aspect from all directions, ensuring visual, contextual, and cultural harmony.

Each curve of the building extends the facade length and views, creating interesting-shaped spaces both inside and out. Where the facades meet, there are openings, each with a specific viewpoint or access point, and curated sightlines in and out. These openings foster a sense of connection between the interior spaces and the surrounding environment, making the building feel open and inviting.

The facades are clad in brick, chosen for its aesthetic quality and to support the use of locally made materials. The City of Whitehorse area has a long history of brick manufacturing, including the Box Hill Brickworks from the 1880s to the 1980s and the Burwood Brickworks, which in the 1950s produced 100,000 bricks a week for new eastern suburbs homes. The use of brick not only ties the building to its historical context but also minimises the carbon footprint, reflecting the community’s values of sustainability and local heritage.

Rather than different functions, we thought about it as different communities of people: excited audiences at the theatre, parents collecting dancers from weeknight classes, wedding guests in function rooms, performers psyching up in dressing rooms, teachers supervising school concert rehearsals. These mini communities are the lifeblood of a large civic building; one that will flex and adapt over time with the demographics of a diverse and changing neighbourhood. We tailored it for them.

The Round is architecturally designed to integrate with its surroundings, featuring concave curved facades oriented towards different landscapes that was derived from a map of overlapping contextual influences. It respects the diverse environmental and cultural contexts.

Each curve extends the façade length and views and creates interesting-shaped spaces, both inside and out. Where the façades meet, there are openings, each with a specific viewpoint or access point, and curated sightlines in and out.

The design also reflects a deep commitment to community and sustainability. The client was adamant about supporting local businesses to align with their vision for a community that values its natural environment, history, and diversity. The scheme draws inspiration from the local vernacular and former manufacturers, including brick and tile producers. There was significant research invested in developing mass-functional seating, ensuring it was made locally with Australian fabric.

Melbourne designer Ross Didier created the furniture, adding a tactile and welcoming touch. Victorian lighting designer Edward Linacre created bespoke lighting, demonstrating the commitment to local talent. Australian spotted gum was selected for the theatre and foyer, and tessellated bathroom tiles reference the area’s tile manufacturing history.

Leadlight artwork was salvaged from the arts centre The Round replaces. “The Meeting Place”, by David Wright and Graham Stone with local glass artists, has a prominent position in the window of an upstairs meeting room overlooking the foyer.

Although the building is primarily a performing arts venue, it features flexible spaces that can be used for various activities, making it a true civic venue that is inclusive and welcoming for all community members. This thoughtful design emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability, positioning the building as a beacon of contemporary civic architecture, respecting its surroundings while offering versatile spaces for diverse activities.

Thermal comfort is a priority, delivered through a combination of efficient building envelope design and advanced space conditioning systems. Theatre spaces are designed with low-energy displacement ventilation systems, providing excellent comfort at minimal energy cost. The building aims to reduce ongoing costs, such as operational requirements and material replacements, by selecting hard-wearing and low-maintenance materials and fixtures.

The site analysis played a crucial role in determining the location and layout of the building, considering both existing and future uses of neighbouring sites. The building’s position and internal layout were meticulously planned, taking into account prevailing winds and solar direction to enhance thermal comfort.

To minimize reliance on electric lighting, the design incorporates natural daylighting wherever suitable for specific types of spaces. The landscaping design prioritizes native vegetation and drought-tolerant species. Strategies to counteract the urban heat island effect include using vegetation and light-coloured roofing and hardscape surfaces.

Facilities such as end-of-trip amenities and secure bike storage are provided to encourage and support alternative modes of transportation for staff. The electrical infrastructure is prepared for the future installation of two electric vehicle charging points within the parking area.

The project also focuses on sustainability by retaining on-site elements like stained glass windows, trees, and lawn. The anticipated canopy cover surpasses the target set by the Green Factor Tool, demonstrating an increased commitment to environmental consideration, quality in construction, and user experience.

Design strategies include renewable power generation with the inclusion of solar panels, as well as a holistic building management system that considers zoning to reduce heating and cooling output. A highly insulated building envelope meets the air sealing requirements of NCC 2019 Section J as well as the design intent through high construction quality. Externally, lighting includes predominantly solar-powered lighting for external car parks and precinct lighting.

Local sustainability is emphasized through the selection of hardwearing, low-maintenance materials, considering carbon offsets and a substantial percentage of recycled content. For instance, Australian-produced bricks and locally assembled brick snap structures reduce carbon production. Internally, recycled glass and Shaw EcoWorx carpet tiles, which are 100% carbon offset and third-party certified by SCS Global Services, were utilised. When suitable, rapidly renewable natural materials are chosen, along with products, materials, and finishes containing high post-consumer content. Timber products are sourced exclusively from responsibly harvested forests.

To facilitate end-of-life management, the design incorporates options for products and materials that can be disassembled, recycled, or upcycled. Notably, the brick snap, timber elements, and carpet are examples of components with potential for demounting.

An ESD consultant developed a ’net zero pathway’ to guide the client in adopting future initiatives for achieving net zero carbon in operation. Additionally, a comprehensive waste management plan has been formulated to ensure appropriately sized on-site collection facilities divert recyclables from landfills. The City of Whitehorse will assess an operational waste management plan addressing specific waste types.

The project reflects a deep understanding of user experience setting a high standard for a contemporary civic space. Features exceeding minimum standards, such as a Changing Places, an accessible adaptable theatre control desk, and a variety of accessible, gender-sensitive facilities ensure safe and inclusive access for all users.