Brett Boardman Photography

Sydney Theatre Company

Charcoalblue have worked hand in hand with Sydney Theatre Company and Hassell Architects on a scheme to refurbish the Company home on Pier 4/5 in Walsh Bay, Sydney.

This vibrant new home will ensure a relevant and viable future for the Company and its audiences on the Wharf and reinforce the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, a wider project supported by Infrastructure New South Wales.

The new wharf theatres have been designed to respect the architectural heritage of the historical 1921 pier building, the new spaces offer increased capacity and are fully adaptable for any performance staging. Wharf 1 seats 350-420 and embraces three core formats – End On, Corner and In the Round, whereas Wharf 2 seats 160 on a retractable unit. Both theatres can be joined by opening the skyfold doors creating a larger Wharf 3.

Audience in a raised seating area.
Raised seating area in blackbox theatre with elaborate catwalk.

Charcoalblue’s involvement included Auditorium Design and Theatre Planning, Acoustic Design, Stage Engineering Systems and Technical, Stage Lighting and Audio Visual Systems.

The project is unique in how involved the existing client team engaged with the project and design team – a true spirit of collaboration was established in the early days and was maintained right to end.

Team members gather around a model of a theatre.
Multi-level building running the length of the wharf.
People standing and sitting at tables in a rehearsal space.
View from catwalk of lighting equipment and seating.
A woman looks out at Sydney Harbour Bridge from a cafe seating area.
A woman uses equipment in the Sydney Theatre Company workroom.
Two women sewing in the Sydney Theatre Company workroom.
Exterior view of the wharf building with multiple levels of glass windows and iron balconies.
Project Details
Client Sydney Theatre Company
Location Sydney, Australia
Year 2020
Project Cost AUS$60m