Described by the Sydney Morning Herald as “timber cathedrals,” the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is a sight to behold. Designed by award-winning architect Peter Tonkin, a director of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, it is home to nine arts companies, including the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
In 2022, the project secured the Australian Timber Design Awards for Interior Commercial and the People’s Choice Award, which is awarded to the project that receives the most votes from the public.
The development has five new theatres, concert halls, vast exhibition spaces, rehearsal rooms, bars, administration, and workshops for wardrobe, scenery, and props.
The timber, mostly preserved from its original installation 100 years ago, contrasted beautifully with the modern theatre and dance stage. Before the redevelopment, the Walsh Bay wharves were a departure point for World War Two soldiers and wool merchants.
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer was appointed by the NSW government in 2016 to redesign Pier 2/3 as a location for performances by Bell Shakespeare, the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP), and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) and to renovate Wharf 4/5. The latter was finished in December 2020 and was formerly home to the Sydney Dance Company (SDC), Gondwana Choirs, and Bangarra Dance Theatre.
In an interview with Architecture AU, Peter Tonkin, the founding director of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, called “that raw industrial sense of the timber cathedral” – while fulfilling demanding briefs for multiple cultural institutions’ long-term homes.
Mr Tonkin then put boxes into the rooms to allow each institution to manage its acoustics and achieve acoustic separation within the old buildings. The boxes’ exterior mirrors reflect light from the bay and give the appearance that they are not there.
Large elevated ceiling parts to accommodate lighting and sound equipment and movable seating to create versatile performance areas are further changes.
“It’s fabulous,” Tonkin said.
“You can walk around directly on the water, yet you’ve got these amazing high-quality performance companies doing their stuff. […] Not only is this synergy of all these companies working, but you can also get a little glimpse of it.”
According to former New South Wales Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes, the restoration is an important cultural link to Sydney’s waterfront.
“It’s [an] amazing achievement to have a public arts and cultural hub right on Sydney’s famous waterfront with new state-of-the-art facilities while preserving its iconic heritage,” Stokes said.
Judging for the 2024 Australian Timber Design Peoples Choice Award is now open – with more than 60 different projects to choose from!
About the People’s Choice Awards
The People’s Choice Award competition is intended to raise the profile of the Australian Timber Design Awards participants within the general public and the built environment industry.
It is intended for participants, friends, family, and industry affiliates to cheer the Australian Timber Design Awards participants on and show their support for our Awards!
Supported by Pentarch Forestry, the People’s Choice Award has been held every year since 2000 and is open yearly once the blind judging for the Australian Timber Design Awards (ATDA) is completed.
Book now for the Australian Timber Design Awards
Tickets are now on sale for the Australian Timber Design Awards awards ceremony, hosted beside the timber cathedrals at Sydney’s Walsh’s Bay, Pier 2, on Wednesday, October 16.
“Come to the official gala dinner on Wednesday, 16 October and enjoy a three-course meal and drinks with your colleagues and friends while watching the winners being announced,” Mr Dunn said.
