Greenhalgh Centre for Music and Drama, Sydney, NSW

The commissioning of the Greenhalgh Centre for Music and Drama was a direct response to the success of Meriden School’s music programs, which consistently attract the nation’s top young musicians. This new facility provides a dedicated space for fostering movement, musicality and artistic expression, further enhancing the school’s renowned music and drama programs.

The 6-level building boasts impressive features, including a music academy, drama theatre, recording studio, practice rooms for ensembles and soloists, purpose-designed classrooms, composition laboratory, indoor/outdoor amphitheatre, instrument storage, green room and staff common room. Connecting these spaces is a two storey atrium, creating a seamless flow and providing breakout areas for students.

NDY collaborated with the entire project team to develop, guide and implement a holistic sustainability strategy for the Centre, encompassing key issues such as resource efficiency, whole-of-life impacts, climate resilience and occupant health and wellbeing. This strategy was successfully implemented throughout the design and construction stages, with the project formally recognised through a Green Star Design & As-Built certification.

Passive design was a key feature, with high-performing building fabric and mixed-mode ventilation design for the main atrium space, which doubles as an amphitheatre. Incorporating this mixed mode ventilation strategy demonstrates Meriden’s commitment to energy efficiency, thermal comfort and sustainability as a whole.

Starting with initial high level desktop calculations, indicative louvre opening areas were identified at ground, first and second floor level. This was then supplemented by CFD analysis, which simulated likely air flow patterns and corresponding internal comfort temperatures, not just for peak summer and winter design conditions, but also for typical mid-season and extreme outdoor temperatures. A detailed control strategy for the louvres ensures the atrium space is comfortable in natural ventilation mode for almost 70% of the year. By this means, the building was demonstrated to achieve an approximate 37% reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions compared to a minimum code-compliant reference building, in line with the Green Star methodology.

The award winning Greenhalgh Centre for Music and Drama has been a resounding success, meeting the school’s vision of providing a dedicated space for nurturing musical and artistic talent. The new centre is testament to the school’s commitment to providing facilities that extend and enrich the learning experiences of their students.

Awards won:
2022, MBA Excellence in State Awards, Private Schools: $15 million – $20 million, Winner
2023, Learning Environments Australasia Design (LEAD) Awards, New building/s or facilities – Large, Commendation.