Flowstate is a 3,000 m2 urban renewal project at South Bank in Brisbane which blurs the distinctions between landscape and architecture, theatre, and public space.
Through an invited competition Stukel Stone were selected as the lead consultant to transform South Bank’s aging Arbour View Café precinct into a vibrant, three to five year-long open-air pavilion and creative space.
The new area comprises of three distinctive experiences including a grassy relaxation zone, an immersive digital installation, and a vibrant performance pavilion complete with theatre curtains and technical lighting and sound equipment.
This visionary project was devised by South Bank Corporation as a mechanism to innovate public space and stimulate conversation about what a city can and should be.
South Bank Corporation Chair Dr Catherin Bull AM put it this way, “Around the world, leading public precincts are constantly evolving and it is the Corporation’s role to oversee, adapt and transform South Bank so it remains relevant, desirable, and exciting both publicly and commercially.”
The project’s key challenges were working with a very small budget on a large site area, and completing the works in a set time frame, to be ready for an opening to the public.
The previous use of the site also contrasted greatly with the proposed new use and the design solution needed to radically rethink the planning and circulation of the whole site.
The design approach was to provide multiple opportunities for viewer and performer relationships, both of a formal and informal or incidental nature.
The existing levels of the site were carefully manipulated to activate a series of opportunities for viewers to sit, stand and assemble and a performer to command attention and take advantage of sight lines.
The true nature of the habitation was yet to be seen, and the hope was that performers, artists and audience would use the site in further surprising and unexpected ways.
The client South Bank Corporation, created Brisbane’s multi-award winning precinct along the Brisbane River.
They continue with the day-to-day management and marketing of the precinct and events. This project was an ambitious and creative urban experiment to uncover a direction for the future.
This was the first significant redevelopment in the South Bank Parklands since the award-winning River Quay in 2011, and it provides a tangible demonstration of creative urban recycling in the heart of the precinct.
The project was unveiled in February 2018 with a year-long multi-arts program of free creative experiences contributing to a vibrant culture of exploration and exchange across the South Bank precinct.
The project is inherently sustainable as it is an act of urban recycling. Public space and the existing structures have been retained but altered for a new use with minimal demolition and additional built material.
The Walkway was constructed from a GratEX 38mm I-Series Standard Micro Mesh, supplied by Treadwell. Industrial Ochre Yellow, an anti-slip surface, as also used within this project, although it is more typically deployed in industrial applications and maintenance access areas in buildings.
The Beacon mesh was Aluminium ‘SUN20’ 2.0mm thick with 120x34mm openings, supplied by Locker Group. This was selected for its structural capacity to span 600mm between supports, curve in one direction, and also act as micro louvres for shading to the Pavilion.
Project Details
Project size – 1,270 m2
Site size – 3,000 m2
Project Budget – $1,268,000
Completion date – 2018
Building levels – 1
Project Team
Architecture and Lead Design
Stukel Architecture
Stukel Architecture is an award winning practice with experience in cultural, residential, and commercial projects. Technical knowledge is matched with honed conceptual thinking to achieve exceptional outcomes for our clients.
Landscape Architecture
LAT 27
Lat27 is an award winning multidisciplinary design studio. Their design culture is drawn from a shared appreciation that the success of a place – regardless of scale or function – is fundamentally determined by responsiveness to environment and context. Their design solutions are therefore grounded in the realities of place, time, and people and the practical application of creative thought.
Construction
Bedford Built
Bedford Built is a privately owned construction company with over two generations experience in the commercial construction industry.
They have experience across a multitude of industry sectors and the ability to deliver any type of project under our Open Builder License. Bedford Built is accredited with the Australian Government’s National Code of Practice and integrates Safety, Quality and Environmental Management Systems.
Bedford Built’s ability to add value to their client’s triple bottom line (Economic, Environmental & Social) has seen the company’s reputation grow.
Structural Engineering
MPN Consulting
MPN are a leading structural, civil and flood engineering consulting company established for over 40 years.
Building Certification
Certis Group
Established in 2000, CERTIS has grown from a small team of dedicated individuals in Brisbane to a national specialist certification company.
Technical Productions
JLX Productions
JLX Productions provides technical solutions for the arts and event industries.
Quantity Surveyor
Mitchell Brandtman
Hydraulic Engineering
Aqua Logical
Aqualogical is an award-winning, boutique consultancy specialising in the design of Hydraulic (Plumbing) and Fire Services to the building industry. They are a privately owned company formed in 2006, based in South East Queensland.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Interior Engineering
Interior Engineering was established in 1995 to bring together a team of innovative professionals to provide a leading edge in building services engineering.
www.interiorengineering.com.au
Surveyor
Land Partners
LandPartners is a surveying and planning consultancy with specialist technology and expertise including Water Infrastructure Management, 3D Laser scanning technology, and RiskSmart accreditation.
Photography
Tom Blachford
Based in Melbourne, Australia Tom Blachford specialises in Interiors, Architecture, Aerial and Fine Art photography.
Working with many of Australia’s most prominent and creative architects and designers, Tom prides himself on translating space, texture and design intent into strong sets of images.
His graphic approach and cinematic aesthetic also been utilised by brands and agencies seeking evocative images to elevate their campaigns with the use of his signature style. His advertising clients and collaborations include Asahi Beer, Nomad Hotels, Deakin University, MTV and Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Tom has worked for architectural and design clients including DKO, Techne Architects, FIGR, Elenberg Fraser, Wood Marsh, Jackson Clement & Burrows, GOLDEN, Ritz and Ghougassian, IF architecture, Foolscap, and Studio Esteta.
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2020 Stukel Stone. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2020 Tom Blachford. All Rights Reserved.
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