Avalon Theatre
The University of Queensland
Under an ECI to D&C contract, we restored UQ’s Avalon Theatre, combining heritage preservation with modern functionality. By managing design, cost, and environmental challenges, we ensured a stress-free, on-budget delivery, transforming the space into a premier teaching and performance venue for students and the community.
- Commercial
- Education
- Heritage
- Universities
The Brief
The University of Queensland (UQ) sought to refurbish and extend the ageing Avalon Theatre that had been unused since 2004. They envisioned a fit-for-purpose theatre with enough flexibility to house a variety of productions – not only an asset for UQ students, clubs and societies but a way to give back to the local community.
UQ recognised that buildability input during the design phase was a key project driver to ensure price and program certainty.
Our contribution
We were engaged early in the project journey under an ECI fee to provide design management, cost management and buildability expertise. We selected a team of design and specialist consultants to develop the concept design within the approved project funding.
The team worked with heritage architects to ensure the design celebrated the theatre’s rich heritage by retaining and restoring the existing building. This collaboration ensured the new structure and all contemporary functionalities were integrated perfectly with the original building.
While successfully navigating the approval process and moving to the D&C stage, our team pitched an early works package that included procuring long lead time mechanical and electrical items and commencing demolition, site clearing, structural steel and concrete groundworks. This allowed construction to proceed at full pace while the design was completed and all approvals were obtained.
Throughout the project, our team navigated multiple environmental factors, including managing challenges brought on by unseasonably wet weather and maintaining the integrity of a heritage tree close to the construction site.
The remarkable project outcome
Our team successfully delivered UQ’s brief, restoring Avalon Theatre into a premier teaching and performance venue. Navigating the unpredictable environmental pressures, our team’s approach provided the most effective program possible, resulting in a stress-free project delivery within budget. With over a century of storied history, UQ’s Avalon Theatre stands proudly once again, inspiring the next generation of world-class thespians for years to come. This is another remarkable outcome for UQ that represents the strength of our long-term partnership.
