The Newhaven College Performing Arts Centre was designed to be a modern feature building located at the front of the site and seen by all who pass the location. The centre features a contemporary and striking facade while housing a state-of-the-art performing arts facility. A particular highlight of the building are the excellent acoustics, modern external design using a range of materials and cutting-edge technical specifications that are integrated seamlessly into the building. The design complements and improves the current buildings at the school and enhances the coastal environment Newhaven College is located. The facility has been embraced by the school and the community for a range of events.

​The renovation of the Newhaven College Performing Arts Centre called for some innovative and interesting combinations. The build required an innovative approach rather than the usual stereotypical school buildings. The design with its large learning spaces and flexible learning areas, makes it a bright and vibrant area for the students to nurture and grow with their early learning development. Bright colours, and new double-glazed windows to maximise light and minimise thermal intrusion provide a visual appeal both internally and externally. TS Constructions consultative approach and project management processes provided the client with a high level of responsiveness and flexibility.
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The Newhaven College Performing Arts Centre project will now represent the South East region for the 2023 MBV Regional Commercial Builder of the Year at this year’s 2023 MBV Excellence in Construction Awards on 11th August at the Palladium, Crown.

​The project was to seamlessly extend onto the original stage of the school and add four new classrooms, a large general learning space and two breakout rooms for specialist teaching, and a lift was installed. Externally an engineered roof structure was installed over the hardcourt area, and the carpark and the front entry was extended, which included the installation of an automatic sliding gate and rammed earth walls. Extensive landscaping which included a large camp kitchen, Bio basin, sensory gardens, a synthetic turf playfield and new play equipment. TS Constructions managed the entire project, which included site works, construction and finishing of the buildings, and final landscaping and civil works were completed in a safe and effective manner.

Works consisted of demolition of the existing consultation and day procedure room (2 storey building) and construction of new Integrated Health Care Building as an extension off the existing Hospital with an enclosed walkway link to the aged care building (Crossley House).
The new building of approx. 1400m2 consisted of a waiting/reception, staff open office for approx 18 people, Board room, Consultation room, and day procedure rooms & recovery.
The Mechanical plant is positioned above the Board room on a dedicated platform.
The new building has a number of unique features with curved plaster and timber lined ceilings/eaves, Front façade having curves in both plan and elevation and clad with VM Zinc vertical metal panel. The balance of the external is brick work with numerous patterns.

Due to the unique curves across the front the portal frames are spaced at varying measurements to match in with roof long points. The structural engineering required the infill timber wall frames to provide bracing for the portal frames so there was minimal cross bracing in the portal frames interrupting internal walls.

The nature of the curved ceiling design was outside that of any proprietary systems requiring an engineers input along with  TS Constructions & GR&T Plastering provided practical methods for the final design. Part of the curved ceiling and eave is lined with local Radial timber battens (some 1200LM) with balance of the internal curved ceilings lined with 2 x 6mm thick layers of plaster board. Linear slot diffusers and light fittings have been installed into the curved ceiling and maintaining the curved feature. This was complex and time consuming process and credit to the carpenters and plasterers for their patients and persistence in achieving an exceptional finish.

​The front also has a vertical steel fin detail typically formed from 250mm x 20mm thick steel plate, this was again a challenge for T&S Welding in Sale to achieve the various curves with the final install carried out in panels of 2.0 to 3.0m wide then welded together on site as one.
A Variation to the main works in upgrading the power supply & main switch board to the Hospital was also carried out during the build with minimal disruption to the Hospital.
The finished product has provided an up to date modern facility to service the Yarram region for many years to come.

Buildings dominated by curves presents new challenges
​You tend to think of architecture as the look of the place, but it demands the complex contribution of engineering starting well below ground. Under any major building winds a complicated system of spaces and places for electricity, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and other building services.

TS Constructions would like to congratulate GR & T Plasterers
on receiving  numerous awards for the plastering works on this project.