Commissioned by the ACT Government and designed by COX Architecture in collaboration with Yerrabingin, Charcoal Blue theatre consultants and Arcadia Landscape Architecture, the new theatre will be a world-class performing arts venue reflecting Canberra’s cultural aspirations.

“This project honours and celebrates its unique place in Country, connecting audience and performer through a shared experience of acknowledgment,” says Christian Hampson, Co-founder and Director of Yerrabingin.

At its centre is a 2,000-seat auditorium, setting a new standard for cultural inclusivity, accessibility and artistic excellence in Australia.

The design vision for the Canberra Lyric Theatre is the product of extensive engagement with community groups, including LGBTQIA+ communities and First Nations peoples.

A Country-led approach underpinned the design process, supported by First Nations design partner Yerrabingin. Grounded in deep listening, the design pillars and principles create space for the architecture to become a living, breathing extension of Country.

“We wanted the design to reinforce Canberra Lyric Theatre’s unique identity – one grounded in cultural respect, continuity and storytelling,” says Joe Agius, Director, COX and project design lead.

“As a project of national significance, it was vital that the design harmonise with Canberra’s civic fabric while also affirming the role of cultural infrastructure in shaping a shared identity – one that’s shaped by our First Nations heritage as well as the diversity of contemporary Australia.”

The reimagined theatre will form a cornerstone of Canberra’s Civic and Cultural District, welcoming audiences, artists and communities into a space designed for all. It will expand the city’s capacity for large-scale performances whilst also offering more intimate experiences for diverse audiences.

The venue’s inclusive design ensures universal accessibility and equitable experiences for both patrons and performers, reinforcing its role as a destination for creative expression, culture and community.

Inside, the reimagined auditorium enhances both intimacy and acoustics whilst reducing mass along key public frontages. This is achieved through stepped terraces comprising 1,000-seat stalls, a 500-seat circle and a 500-seat balcony.

The design features a sculpted architectural form defined by verticality, layering and veiling, which filters light and frames views towards Black Mountain and Vernon Circle.

The reconfiguration of the public realm creates welcoming spaces, supports intuitive movement and aligns with future precinct plans. A new principal entrance is oriented towards the future Theatre Plaza, forming a civic forecourt that strengthens urban connections.

The Canberra Lyric Theatre represents a once-in-a-generation investment in cultural infrastructure, embedding respect for Country, enriching civic life and leaving a legacy for the people of Canberra and Australia as a whole.

New images of the theatre form part of the Works Approval application, which has been lodged with the National Capital Authority (NCA) and is now on public exhibition until 5:00pm, Monday 20 October 2025. The public are invited to view the designs and see how community feedback has shaped the project.

Visuals: Canberra Lyric Theatre / supplied

Clémence Carayol

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