The ACT Government has asked three Australian leaders in innovative theatre and architectural design to submit a tender to become their design partner for the Canberra Theatre Redevelopment project.

“The theatre centre will be the heart of the new Canberra Cultural and Civic District, and is a key driver for the tourism, economy, hospitality, and accommodation sectors,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

Architectus, DesignInc, and Hassell have been named as the preferred shortlisted tenderers to participate in the next phase of the procurement process, which will run until the first quarter of 2023.

“These three organisations have a track record for delivering excellence in globally significant design and architecture projects,” the government stated. “All three have partnered with international architects to bring the best of the world’s ideas to Canberra.”

“I am excited to see the innovative tenders these industry leaders produce, bringing us closer to our ambition for Canberra as Australia’s arts capital,” arts minister Tara Cheyne said.

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Architectus is responsible for major projects including the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and the redevelopment of the heritage listed State Library Victoria. It has partnered with Danish architects Henning Larsen (the lead designers for the Harpa Concert Hall Reykjavik, Iceland, and the Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen), and international theatre designers Arup.

DesigInc, who recently completed work on Phive, Parramatta’s new civic hub and library, will work with international firm Zaha Hadid Architects, who were responsible for Beijing’s Galaxy Soho.

Australian international firm Hassell is the architect behind the Sydney Theatre Company and the refurbishment of the ANU Birch Building. They will collaborate with international multidisciplinary design studio Snøhetta, known for their work on the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and the Times Square, New York, redevelopment.

The three short-listed tenderers will work with other national and international industry leading specialists to prepare their tender proposals for a globally recognised theatre centre that supports Canberra’s strategic ambition to be Australia’s arts capital, the government stated.

A renewed Canberra Theatre Centre will deliver a major new theatre and reimagine the current facilities to support the presentation and production of international, national, and local performances, concerts, and events.

Diversity and inclusion will be a priority in the tender submissions, the government stated. Tenderers will be asked to create design solutions that are supportive and inclusive for patrons, staff, and performers with a disability, and that involves those who identify as LGBTIQ+.

Following an evaluation process, it is expected the successful consortium will be appointed as the ACT Government’s design partner by mid-2023 to develop and deliver detailed Canberra Theatre Centre designs.

The successful tenderer will work closely with Major Projects Canberra during the design phase to provide opportunities for stakeholder and community input into the final design.

Design, public consultation, and approval processes will take around two years and will inform planning for the project’s construction phase.

Sign up for updates on the Canberra Theatre Redevelopment project at builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

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