7
Convention Centres are among the
big markers of civic pride and standing.
Without the capacity to host events
grand and small – in real style –
cities lose out on untold income and
information sharing. With such fierce
global competition for the lucrative
convention/tourism dollar, it’s an all out
battle to be highly visible and desirable.
And in the age of information access,
comparisons and user experiences,
endorse the better and brave.
Visibility isn’t simply about project size or prominence,
but relationship to place. Project architect Simon Tothill
of Woods Bagot Adelaide describes the firm’s $397
million baby as “transformative”. He argues the end game
of convention centres is no longer the mega sized variety
to “shock and awe” but that they need to engage on a
deeper personal and public level.
Sited alongside the Centre’s curvaceous 2001 Central
Building designed in association with SOM, the new
East Building completes a flurry of recent and ongoing
riverbank development, including a new health and
bio-medical precinct, the festival plaza upgrade,
Adelaide Oval re-development and footbridge.
Woods Bagot’s River Torrens gesture is animated with
reflections of water and sky, while scooping deep
sunlight and providing wide vistas.
PROJECT
Adelaide Convention Centre –
East Building
ARCHITECT
Woods Bagot
PRINCIPAL GLAZING
Viridian Custom Double Glazed Unit
with 13.52mm Low Iron, Low-E Laminate
and 6mm Low Iron
TEXT, IMAGES & FILM
Peter & Jenny Hyatt