UTS has revealed plans for an overhaul of the Great Hall, the university’s largest venue.
From 2012, UTS students will be able to graduate in a cathedral-like space, enveloped by a perforated metal skin and leading-edge audio/visual technology.
At the heart of the design proposal by architectural practice DRAW (De Manincor Russell Architectural Workshop) is a faceted metal-panel surface, known as 'The Mantle', which will be grafted onto the existing Great Hall structure.
"We saw this as the opportunity to create a warm, lofty space, with qualities akin to those of a gothic cathedral," says John de Manincor and Adam Russell, principals of DRAW.
"The Mantle also embodies UTS' commitment to new design and fabrication technologies, as evidenced by their research in architecture, design, construction and engineering."
The Mantle comprises a fluid skin of perforated metal that wraps the existing cold concrete interior. Advanced media, lighting, acoustic and air tempering technology are all integrated within the new fabric.
By wrapping the side walls and ceiling in a continuous articulated surface, the scale and proportion of the Great Hall is radically shifted from non-directional and squat to processional and lofty, a space akin to a Gothic Cathedral.
The primary articulation of the Mantle is based on a repeat cellular geometry, making an evolutionary reference to the inherent structural system of Building One itself.
Conceptually, the Great Hall is enveloped by a complex cellular structure that expands to fill its volume. The complex cellular structure permits a non-hierarchical organisational system that allows the interior to have a primary axis without a specific 'front' or 'rear'.
The Mantle combines natural light drawn through the coffers above, with a sophisticated low energy lighting system to provide a series of active and tunable 'atmospheres'. Air movement equipment is also concealed behind the surface of The Mantle, utilising existing concrete ducts at low and high levels.
Another key element of the design is the 'Balcony Room'. The Balcony Room establishes a new, formal arrival space with views over Alumni Green. With floor-to-ceiling glass, the light-filled Balcony Room replaces the under-utilised terrace space at the northern edge of the Great Hall.
These design features all contribute to the flexible nature of the Great Hall, whose multiple functions include lectures and public talks, formal dinners, examinations, and events such as fashion shows.
DRAW’s concept design was selected as part of a design competition involving three other architectural practices.
The concept design has been refined in consultation with the university over the past few months. DRAW is collaborating with architectural practice Kann Finch Group on the project's delivery. Steensen Varming are providing services and sustainability advice, Acoustic Logic are the acoustic consultants whilst Simpson Design Associates are the structural engineers.
The Great Hall upgrade forms part of the UTS City Campus Master Plan. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2011.
