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Canberra theatre centre design concept

Architectus, Henning Larsen & Arup Announced as the Consortium to Transform Canberra Theatre Centre

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Canberra theatre centre design concept

 

Australian architecture and design firm Architectus, international studio Henning Larsen and global consultants Arup have been chosen as the winning consortium to transform the Canberra Theatre Centre into a vibrant, multi-event, all-inclusive space that will, in consultation with First Nations peoples, be the anchor project for the future of Canberra’s Civic and Cultural District into an internationally recognised arts precinct.

 

The design vision for the Canberra Theatre Centre is an environment that reflects and represents diverse cultures and voices. An internationally recognised cultural precinct with impeccable design credentials that serves as a new community meeting place for Canberrans, and a home for artists from across the globe. The winning tender included early preliminary designs that depict a new theatre building with a bold and sophisticated façade treatment, and which references to the formal landmarks of Canberra.

 

Architectus Principal and Public Sector Leader, Dr Stephen Long said, “Our collective is thrilled to be working alongside the ACT Government to deliver a world-class experience that has the potential to fuel the creative spirit of Canberra.

 

“We will approach the design process through the lens of the audience and the performers. We will continue to work from the inside out to create a National theatre with an international reputation. We will also work from the outside in to create a theatre that is enmeshed in the city and landscape, one that holds its place in the context of Canberra’s ensemble of National culture and arts buildings and brings vibrancy to the Canberra Civic and Cultural District. We seek to create a project that is an exemplar of elegance, function and sustainability.”

 

Canberra theatre centre with render

 

Henning Larsen Partner and Design Director, Viggo Haremst said, “We are honoured to have been selected for the renewal of the Canberra Theatre Centre. Our design ambition is for the centre to become a national landmark and an international destination, drawing artists and audiences from around the world to Canberra’s new cultural heart.

 

“Together with Architectus and Arup, we’ve approached the design with great care considering the architecture and all other elements of design to create a vibrant and inclusive place that honours the history and beauty of the land. A cultural hub that celebrates the community, its diverse heritage and artistic expression, where people come together to share in the power of performance and storytelling.”

 

Arup, a world leader in theatre planning, will collaborate with Architectus and Henning Larsen to ensure the theatre has the form and function required to support the highest level of national and international touring shows.

 

Arup Australasian Arts & Culture Business Lead, Hannah Slater said, “We are excited to be working in collaboration with Architectus and Henning Larsen on this landmark project that embeds dialogue and creation in the civic heart of Canberra.

 

Canberra theatre centre design concept theatre interior

 

“Our design approach will provide the opportunity for the project to knit the stories of this place into the city through establishing a transparent, connected and inviting Centre. Arup provides diverse technical engineering skills and detailed Theatre Architecture expertise, contributing to the realisation of this ambition.”

 

The team shares a long history of delivering globally significant cultural projects including the multi-award-winning Harpa Concert Hall in Iceland by Henning Larsen and Arup, and Architectus and Arup collaborated on the recently opened Art Gallery of New South Wales Sydney Modern Building. Architectus and Henning Larsen also work together on several high-profile commercial projects in Sydney and Brisbane.

Australia, UK and Japan are Top of Mind for Property Investors

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When asked where they would consider investing in property abroad, Australia was top of the list with 32 percent.

When asked where they would consider investing in property abroad, Australia was top of the list with 32 percent. Image courtesy of IP Global.

Australia, UK and Japan are the top three destinations for Singaporeans looking to invest in property overseas, according to a survey commissioned by IP Global, a leading full-service property investment company.

When asked where they would consider investing in property abroad, Australia was top of the list with 32 percent*. The UK with 16 percent and Japan with 13 percent are the second and third most popular choices respectively. Singapore was one of the five countries where the survey was conducted, as part of IP Global’s research to identify investment trends in real estate across key markets. Hong Kong, the United Kingdom,

United Arab Emirates and South Africa were the other four countries. The results across the five markets highlighted the following trends:

  • Australia is amongst the top three investment markets for real estate in all five countries.
  • Japan is in the top three choices for investors in both Singapore and Hong Kong.
  • The US is among the top investment destinations for respondents outside of Asia.

“Real estate has traditionally been the favoured investment choice among Singaporeans making them well-versed with spotting trends and opportunities in the sector. The rising value of the Singaporean currency, which has strengthened against the Australian Dollar, British Pound and the Japanese Yen over the past 12 months, has opened up new opportunities for Singaporean investors in these countries,” said Alex Bellingham, Director of IP Global.

“Property prices in these countries have also been rising, making them an attractive destination for investors looking at medium to long-term capital gains,” he adds.

The Singaporean dollar has strengthened almost 30 percent against the Australian Dollar and more than 14% against the Japanese Yen since the start of 2013. It has also started rising steadily against the British Pound, gaining 8% in just the past five months. The strength of the Singaporean Dollar, which makes overseas investment more affordable, has been a key factor behind investors looking at overseas assets.

In Australia, Melbourne and Canberra record highest annual house price growth since 2009, in the last quarter of 2015. In the UK, the average house price rose 7.7 percent over the year to November 2015, with prices in London up by 9.8 percent, according to the Office of National Statistics.

In Japan, prices of condominiums have risen by more 20 percent since 2013, according to data published by Japan Macro Advisors. Political stability, strong rule of law and ease of access are among the other key factors that have made these countries a preferred destination for Singaporean investors.

“All of the top three destinations have a developed real estate market and well-defined rules and regulations governing the sector. This adds to their attractiveness for Singaporean investors who are wary of investing in countries where they lack understanding of local regulations in the sector,” he adds.

This was backed by the finding of the survey, with 54 percent of respondents stating that a lack of understanding of the laws in the country where the property is located would put them off investing in it.

 

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 6,160 adults, of whom 1,041 were in Singapore. Fieldwork was undertaken between 12th and 20th January 2016. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+) in each country.