The Round

Big Picture Thinking

The brief for The Round spanned beyond the function of an arts and cultural centre, and so too did our design thinking. We considered the needs of all users of the building and the surrounding parklands precinct, exploring how the design could bring value to the community inside and out. As a result, the building was designed “in the round”, with one straight and four concave facades carved out of the landscape, reflecting the contextual influences surrounding the site. The design mirrors the five faces of this place: the residential area to the immediate north and northwest, the car park and sporting fields to the east, Whitehorse Road and the Council buildings to the south, and parkland to the west and southwest.

We created a building that is multifaceted, both functionally and in its attitude and character. It shapes an interplay with the landscape that brings enjoyment to casual passers-by alongside dedicated theatre-goers and program-related users. The building is designed to host professional theatre productions, travelling shows, local dance studio programs, and private functions as well as supporting large community events in the surrounding parklands at different times of year.

Leadership and Advocacy

The design of The Round reflects BKK’s commitment to creating sustainable buildings and communities through championing well considered and impactful ESD principles. We took an ESD by stealth approach, working with the ESD consultant to advocate for minimised gas, rooftop solar panels, and an airtight building envelope for enhanced thermal performance. In addition, our design approach championed the specification of local designers and products, taking an opportunity to showcase these in a community setting, boosting the local economy whilst reducing energy consumption associated with transporting imported materials.