Liminal Studio, WOHA-designed cultural centre takes shape

The Hedberg building site on 10 May.

The Hedberg building site on 10 May.

Image: UTAS

Construction is well underway on the University of Tasmania’s $96 million cultural and performing arts centre, dubbed The Hedberg.

Tasmanian premier Will Hodgman announced the completion of the concrete slab for the second floor of the building on 9 May.

Designed by Liminal Architecture in partnership with WOHA and Arup Acoustics and Theatre, the centre is billed as a world-class contemporary landmark, complementing the adjacent 19th Century, John Lee Archer-designed Theatre Royal – the oldest continually operating theatre in Australia. The new building will be linked to the Georgian theatre via a glass walkway.

“The culturally significant project balances the theatrics of the building’s purpose and the sensitivity of place,” said Liminal Studio director Peta Heffernan.

“The design celebrates the responsibility of being a major public building, yet is respectful of the adjacent residential streetscape, interweaving the urban context and showcasing the heritage fabric within a contemporary framework.”

The centre takes its name from the Hedberg Brothers Garage, a rare surviving example of an early commercial garage in Hobart, which was partially demolished as part of the project.

University of Tasmania’s cultural and performing arts centre, The Hedberg, designed by Liminal Studio and WOHA.

University of Tasmania’s cultural and performing arts centre, The Hedberg, designed by Liminal Studio and WOHA.

Image: Liminal Studio and WOHA

Located on the corner of Collins and Campbell Streets in the Hobart CBD, the project sits within the former district of Wapping, described as “Hobart’s first working-class neighbourhood, and the first part of the city to earn the reputation of a slum,” in an archaeological sensitivity report prepared by Liminal Architecture.

A heritage impact statement describes the site as “of historic cultural heritage significance because of its direct association with Hobart’s early residential and commercial phases.”

Archaeological and site-preparing works were conducted from October 2016, immediately prior to the start of the two-year construction schedule. Among the new archaeological discoveries were an East India coin from the Dolphin Hotel dated 1803, gin and rum bottles from the mid-nineteenth century, the foundations of a cottage and a fence post believed to pre-date 1820, archaeologist Parry Kostoglou told ABC Radio Hobart.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the first semester of 2019 and will include new facilities including a studio theatre, a recital hall and education spaces.

It is part of the university’s plan to gradually expand into the Hobart CBD. It follows recent projects already completed in the CBD including the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies by John Wardle Architects and Medical Sciences buildings 1 and 2, both by Lyons. In early 2017 approval was granted for a major redevelopment of UTAS Launceston Campus.

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