Daramalan College Performing Arts Centre
Designed by Stewart Architecture, this commanding striking presence within the Daramalan College campus, the Performing Arts Centre was conceived as a thoughtful reflection upon place, purpose, and creative ambition. Brought to life as a collaborative effort between the college and specialist theatre design consultants, the centre is a vessel for creative exploration - designed to nurture talent, support pedagogical excellence, and serve as a centralised cultural hub.
The bold red brick façade of the structure, featuring Nubrik’s pressed clay bricks in Chapel Red, is a deliberate nod to Daramalan College’s original 1960s architecture, bridging the established and contemporary forms through the use of contextual materiality. A sense of permeability is embedded in the design, with the interplay between interior and exterior creating a seamless connectedness in blurring thresholds.
The landscape design further extends the centre’s pedagogical intent, featuring curved amphitheatre seating that supports outdoor learning and public gatherings. Importantly, the facility is designed for independent operation, with dedicated public street access enabling use for evening and weekend events, reinforcing the centre’s role as a community asset and centre point of engagement.
Sustainability has been carefully integrated into every aspect of the project. Efficient spatial planning reduces embodied energy, while the use of locally sourced materials such as marmoleum flooring and reclaimed timber underscores a commitment to low-impact design. The building’s orientation maximises northern exposure, minimising reliance on mechanical heating and cooling systems.
Incorporating Nubrik Chapel Red pressed clay bricks, certified carbon neutral as part of Brickworks’ latest Carbon Neutral Offsetting Program, the project pioneers a new standard in sustainable construction.
Highlighting its industry-recognised excellence, at the 2025 AIA ACT Chapter Awards the Daramalan College Performing Arts Centre was awarded the Canberra Medallion, The Enrica Taglietti Award for Educational Architecture, an Award for Interior Architecture, and The EmAGN Project Award.
In every facet of the project, from the material palette and formal composition to the sustainable ethos and cultural intent, the Daramalan College Performing Arts Centre embodies a visionary view of creative education. It stands not only as a state-of-the-art performance facility, but as a place of learning, collaboration, and creative growth.
With their crisp, sharp edges Nubrik traditional bricks exude quality and will endure for generations to come. Their elegance and honesty, rich colour blends and pressed face textures make them extremely popular with the discerning architect, builder and homeowner.
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