Neville Bonner Bridge
Infrastructure, Civic
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
South Brisbane, QLD
| Solution | Altura Series® Chevron Vertical Louvres Delta Series® Perforated Louvre Ellenborough Series® Chevron Louvres Jupiter Series® Performance Louvres Kensington Series® Rain Resistant Louvres |
|---|---|
| Client | Queensland Government – Department of Education (Arts Queensland / QPAC) |
| Partners | Lendlease, Blight Rayner |
| Finishes | Dulux® Charisma™ Black Ace Flat – 90C9116F, Dulux® Duralloy Black (Night Sky) Satin – 27219268, Interpon® D1000 Black Satin – GN150A, Dulux® Duratec® Zeus® Black Matt – 90Z9202M |
As one of Australia’s leading cultural destinations, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre has played a defining role in Brisbane’s arts precinct for decades. Stage 7 of the QPAC redevelopment, including the new 1,500-seat Glasshouse Theatre, was conceived to expand the venue’s capacity while creating a contemporary architectural addition that would sit comfortably alongside the existing cultural institutions of South Bank.
Each façade zone presented different performance requirements, ranging from high-volume plant ventilation and smoke exhaust systems through to weather-protected service areas and visually screened back-of-house spaces.
As the project evolved from concept into construction, several areas of the building required more than a standard product solution.
Marker 1
Performance Louvres
Ellenborough Series® Chevron Louvres
Chevron extruded aluminium louvres with zero vision screening
Marker 2 Performance Louvres
Altura Series® Chevron Vertical Louvres
Vertical chevron aluminium louvres for airflow, rain defence, and zero vision
Marker 3 Performance Louvres
Kensington Series® Rain Resistant Louvres
Three-pass weather louvre system
THE MADERIGHT WAY
Inspire with quality
From the earliest stages of design, Louvreclad worked closely with Blight Rayner Architects to help shape the building’s ventilation strategy. Rather than treating louvres as a late-stage services requirement, the team recognised that ventilation openings would become an important part of the architectural expression of the building.
Through ongoing collaboration with the architect and consultant team, Louvreclad assisted in balancing airflow, rain defence, pressure drop requirements and architectural intent. This early engagement allowed the project team to make informed decisions about louvre selection and integration, ensuring that performance and appearance were considered together from the outset.
THE MADERIGHT WAY
Engineer with expertise
Working with Blight Rayner Architects, Ellis Air, Lendlease and CFD specialists Laminar2 Turbulent, Louvreclad refined ventilation performance requirements, balancing airflow, pressure drop and rain defence with architectural intent. One of the most technically challenging areas was behind architecturally expressed precast concrete blades, where the façade created a complex airflow path requiring detailed analysis to achieve smoke exhaust and make-up air performance.
Rather than forcing a standard product into the application, Louvreclad developed a bespoke folded aluminium fin system behind the precast elements. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling was used to assess airflow, pressure drop and rain penetration, refining the geometry prior to manufacture. The system met stringent performance targets, achieving approximately 95% rain defence effectiveness within allowable pressure drop limits, while preserving the architectural intent of the façade. The custom folded fin solution became an example of how collaborative engineering can unlock outcomes that satisfy both design and performance objectives.
THE MADERIGHT WAY
Implement with surety
By completion, Louvreclad had delivered a coordinated package of louvre systems across the project, each selected to suit the unique demands of its location while contributing to a cohesive architectural outcome.
Altura Series® louvres provide high-capacity ventilation to plant areas while maintaining a consistent architectural language across the upper levels of the building. Ellenborough Series® louvres were utilised throughout service and screening zones where airflow and visual concealment needed to work together. Kensington Series® rain-resistant louvres protect exposed areas from water ingress, while Jupiter Series® performance louvre doors combine secure access with reliable ventilation. Delta Series® perforated louvres complete the package, providing discreet screening and airflow to a variety of façade and plaza interfaces.
Together, these systems form an integrated ventilation strategy supporting one of Queensland’s most significant cultural facilities.
Integrated Performance for a Landmark Venue
The custom folded fin solution became an example of how collaborative engineering can unlock outcomes that satisfy both design and performance objectives.
The project demonstrates how collaboration, engineering and coordinated façade solutions can contribute to both technical performance and architectural outcomes on a landmark building.
Today, the completed Glasshouse Theatre stands as a new addition to Brisbane’s cultural landscape, supported by a suite of carefully considered louvre systems that work quietly in the background, allowing the architecture and performances to take centre stage.
Related solutions
Speak to an expert
Reach out today to discuss your facade solution requirements; we would love to hear from you.
"*" indicates required fields
Testimonials
We work with a wide range of clients and partners around Australia who trust our reputation, value our market knowledge and who can vouch for our competence.
