Queensland Ballet has transformed the historic Thomas Dixon Centre into a world-class performance arts facility. Originally a shoe factory, it now provides additional dance studios, room to expand training programs, and vibrant spaces for the wider community.

As Queensland Ballet’s Creative Director, Li Conxin, says, the development has been designed as a hub for sharing stories, art, and connections, while inspiring peak performance, nurturing creativity, and encouraging wellbeing.

Hansen Yuncken engaged Louvreclad to materialise Conrad Gargett’s elegant facade concept with a finish befitting the grace and high calibre of creative talent that Queensland Ballet is renowned for.

Louvreclad designed, engineered, supplied and installed Ellenborough Series® performance louvres, Hudson Series® acoustic louvres, bespoke Barossa Series® pergola structures, Platinum Series® custom solid aluminium cladding and curved expanded metal screens that reference the pleats of a ballet tutu.
A central challenge was to design screens that had already been documented and engineered by the client. Typically, aluminium louvres and screens are engineered by the specialist louvre contractor to meet the project-specific intent, while considering the capabilities and tolerances unique to the manufacturer. On this project, the design and engineering had been completed by the client, and as it was a fully documented project, Louvreclad needed to follow this intent.

Ultimately, it resulted in some compromise between the existing engineering and Louvreclad’s design to come to a mutual outcome. Certain components needed to be reengineered and signed off by Louvreclad.

The curved screens were also an intricate item. Expanded metal does not roll as accurately as perforated aluminium, which made accuracy onsite challenging due to panel size variations, both in width and height.

Louvreclad appreciates the learnings the project challenges revealed and are proud that the delivered result pleased the client.