Foxwell State Secondary College Performing Arts Centre

Location Coomera, QLD (Yugambeh Country)
Client Queensland Department of Education
Size 22,700m² on a 9.57ha site
Status Complete
Project Type Education & Sport

‘Chapman and Leigh are so responsive and extraordinarily creative. You should be so proud of your design.'
Kym Amor, Principal

Overview

The Performing Arts Centre (PAC) not only bookends one side of the covered Senior entry Piazza, drawing you in to the campus by way of a grand feature stair, but it also serves a visual representation of Foxwell State Secondary College’s investment and dedication to the Performing Arts.

The ground floor of the PAC boasts a large 6.8m tall performance space with raised stage, sprung floor, and retractable seating that can be divided in to 4x GLAs (2x Drama and 2x Dance) by way of 6 meter high stacking panels. Additionally, 3x individual practice rooms and 3x Music GLAs look out to the sports oval; the latter opening up to a large alfresco verandah for informal performances.

This outdoor performance space was designed to relate to the adjacent entry Piazza creating a multimodal, multi-level communal gathering space for performances, sports events and social gatherings.

Adjacent to the outdoor performance space is a ticketing and amenities kiosk with custom decorative wall battens and feature solid surface countertop.

The size, shape and location of this kiosk allows for multiple points of access for patrons and students creating a well-functioning, highly visible point of service.

A large feature stair in the main foyer leads to Level 1 which hosts a control room and recording studio for the large Performance Hall, a multi-media GLA, and a 19 m² Green Room.

More: Our article ‘Does your school’s design support student wellbeing?’ expands on the design strategies used at Foxwell to enhance educational outcomes.