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Projects

Red Earth Arts Precinct, Karratha WA

The Red Earth Arts Precinct’s cascading hills shape is an innovative interpretation of the surrounding iconic Australian landscape.

The red hills of the Pilbara region in the far north-west of Australia have been the inspiration behind the avant-garde design of an exciting new art exhibition and function centre in Karratha. Described as an abstraction of the Pilbara environment, the Red Earth Arts Precinct’s cascading hills shape is an innovative interpretation of the surrounding iconic Australian landscape.

The centre includes: a 450 seat theatre for performing arts which can also be used as a cinema or flat-floor hall; an outdoor amphitheatre’ a rooftop terrace which can also be used for cinema; art spaces; and a library, as well as administration offices. To meet the variety of window and door framing requirements for such a multi-use building, a range of Alspec’s window and door framing products were incorporated.

A key component was ecoWall 225 Flush Glazed Framing, which is ideal for large height entrance foyers and atriums due to its outstanding structural integrity. Its reinforced subheads and mullion anti-buckling technology makes the ecoWall extremely strong and can eliminate the need for expensive steel frames. The flush glazed design, which can accommodate 4mm-14mm single glazing and up to 28mm double glazing options, features self-draining sub sills to deliver the added benefit of superior weather performance.

In other areas of the facility McArthur 101.6mm centre pocket framing and Altitude Apartment Sliding Windows formed part of the glazing solutions. The McArthur framing is favoured by architects because of its visual appeal, spanning large spaces with sharp unbroken lines. Centre pocket glazing reduces the number of glazing beads required which makes it faster to install as well as providing ongoing strength and security benefits. Like the ecoWall framing, the McArthur framing features self-draining sub sills to eliminate water issues and easily adapts to accept openable windows such as the Altitude Apartment Sliding Window.

Meanwhile door requirements for the facility were provided by Alspec’s Cyclonic Doors and Swan Evo Commercial Shopfront Doors. As the Pilbara region is subject to tropical cyclones it was important the doors and windows in the facility were able to resist the highest extremes of potential pressure and water penetration that can occur. Both theseThis products has been tested to ensure cyclonic impact compliance and will protect the building in such weather extremes.

With more than 6000 visitors expected to utilise the landmark entertainment centre, the Red Earth Arts Precinct is set to provide a fitting showcase the region’s artistic talents, as well as the high performance Alspec range of window and door solutions.

Architect: Peter Hunt Architects
Builder: Doric
Alspec Fabricator: Blue Sky Aluminium

Alspec Products Used:
ecoWALL 225
McArthur 101.6mm Centre Pocket Framing
Altitude® Apartment Sliding Door
Altitude® Sliding Window