Albany Entertainment Centre Progress

June. With the roof now almost complete, the stunning clean lines and dramatic shapes of of the architcture have finally emerged. With around 120 workers on site each day, the venue is now rapidly coming to completition with a commissioning and testing phase intended to start soon.
May. This shot shows the ceiling of the foyers which is of course the underside of the massive sail like roof. This is the northern foyer and partly shows how the circle foyer and ground floor foyer are one interconnected vertical space. The shot shows the gantry leading from the circle foyer into the circle seating. Looking up is the wonderful skylights which will flood the entire foyers areas with natural light.
April. The roof is finally almost all covered in. Snorkel cranes are in use all over the site filling the gaps and applying finishing touches to the outside. The grey material is panels of 100% zinc intended to easily withstand the marine environment.
Feb 10. This shot shows the glass panels going on to the southern foyer adjacent to the Kalyenup Studio space. With an operable wall, this room will give presenters the opportunity to have natural light in the studio or perhaps even open the room up with events taking place in the foyer with views across the harbour in the background.
Feb 10. The cladding for the sails continues to go on when the wind drops enough. The large overhead crane has also come down.
Dec 09. The cladding of the sails is now not far away, weather permitting. The grand staircase to the circle level lookout is also nearly complete. The careful eye may see the Christmas tree? Click on the picture to see a larger version.
This shot from the West clearly shows the outline of the building with it's huge sails. The diamond shaped roof will be clad in zinc. Sides of the lower triangle will be edged with glass skylights creating an airy and naturally lit foyer space.
The construction tops out with the peak of the roof on the left. Beside it, a huge construction of scaffolding allows workers to access the point.
The structure now starts to take clear shape. The large sail type structure will eventually be clad, hiding what can so often be an irregular block structure associated with performance venues and theatre's with fly towers.
This spectacular viewing platform looks out over Princess Royal Harbour to Torndirrup National Park. The cage with patterned steel work is the elevator car external cage which will carry patrons to and from the circle level.
September 09. The steel superstructure soars skyward linking the fly tower and the auditorium with the apex of the roof. This steel work will eventually come down to a point in the west over the lookout platform above the cafe.
August 09. The steel work for the dramatic roof over the studio and back of house areas is taking shape. Concrete form work takes shape on what will be a terrace or grand staircase leading up to a viewing deck above the cafe. Steel work over the auditorium is also under way.
July 09. Construction of the flytower now stands complete. Cladding (red) begins on the northern side adjacent to what will be the loading dock and backstage access areas. The concrete construction is almost complete, now steel work will be added to form up the auditorium and studio performance spaces.
June 09. The flytower structure nears completion, the steel work for the circle seating plats is in place. Extensive forming of the second level is also in place. A great deal of concrete construction is still under way. The weather has been favourable.
May 09. Concrete work on the flytower nears it's maximum height. Form work is in place for the second level of the auditorium and viewing platform. These two large concrete columns are the front corners of the flytower and stage.
April 09. Work commences on the flytower. In the foreground is the most north-western point of the structure which is the water storage tank for the fire system. This tank is beneath a grand staircase which leads to a viewing platform and the dress circle above.
March 09. Foundations are well under way, as is work on the underground (and under sea) level of the venue including the orchestra pit which can accomodate at least 20 musicians. The air handling ducts and plenum are also built into the earth at this level.
March 09. The giant overhead crane is up and construction is well under way with various concrete columns going up and the lower parts of both elevator shafts in place. Elevators service both the back of house dressing rooms and VIP room and also the Dress Circle.
November 08 and the site is well under way. Excavation of the orchestra pit is in progress and the pylons are being screwed in to the ground. Extensive dewatering is required because of a spate of wet weather, and of course because some of the site is below sea level.
This shot in September 08 shows the first stage of the footings being dug. Screwcap Pylons are used under critical parts of the concrete pad to add strength.
A view across the site to the footbridge taken in August 08 shows the area ready for construction. The development is on reclaimed land which was once the Princess Royal Harbour, partly the reason for the use of pylons to ensure good foundations for the venue.