Centenary Heights State High School serves the community of south-east Toowoomba, with an enrolment of over 1,700 students and a reputation throughout the region and state for their performing arts program. 

In 2018 the school identified the need for a new performing arts centre to serve both the students and broader community, to be funded from the Queensland Government’s 2020 Ready program.

The new performing arts centre design included a stage, dance studios, drama learning areas, rehearsal space, staff room, change room and amenities, and a foyer area for guests to mingle prior to performances. The building is supported to state-of-the-art multi-media features.

In addition to the performing arts centre, the project also included refurbishments to existing art rooms and the senior hospitality building.

DMA Engineers were engaged by Biscoe Wilson architects to deliver the mechanical, electrical, hydraulics and vertical transportation design for the centre, working closely with the teams from Biscoe Wilson, Honeywill, Farr Engineers, Hutchinson Builders and Education Queensland.

Some of the features of our work included:

• Designing and implementing an efficient energy recovery air conditioning system to serve the duel use auditorium, which doubles as three separate drama/ dance studious when all operable walls are closed.
• Careful consideration for low noise air diffusion whilst adequately catering for large ceiling heights during heating mode to accommodate Toowoomba’s low ambient winter conditions. This was addressed by installing automatically controlled variable throw swirl diffusers.
• Close coordination between our electrical team and the specialist audio visual designer was paramount in successfully implementing a streamlined and well-integrated state-of-the-art lighting and audio visual system
• 3D Modelling of services designs enabled close coordination with structural and architectural services. This resulted in minimal construction related RFIs and almost no onsite adjustments were required at the interface of large mechanical services elements and building framework.

From the early works electrical upgrades to the staged construction of upgrades to the existing buildings, consistent dedication from the entire project team delivered the best possible outcomes for the client.

The performing arts centre is now an invaluable resource not only for the students and staff at Centenary Heights State High School, but as a community centre for the broader Toowoomba Community.

As a testament to the project and project team, the Centenary Heights State High School Performing Arts Centre was the winner of the 2020 Project of the Year Award and Education Facilities up to $10M Award for Hutchinson Builders at the 2020 Master Builders Downs & Western Housing & Construction Awards.