This project proposes a theatre and hotel as a diplomatic space at Tullamarine Airport. Central to its design is Soft Diplomacy, a type of diplomacy that is based on co-operation and attraction rather than coercion or force. Historically, theatres have been used as spaces for soft diplomacy, offering a neutral setting, space to mingle and shared experience. This projects program and form explore and tackle the critique that current diplomatic practices are conducted in formal settings (government buildings, conference centres, summits) where few can participate and that the political divide has resulted in an unwillingness to hear others’ opinions, inaction and failing diplomacy.
Soft Diplomacy
The theatre sits at the centre of the project and is the joining force between a symbolically divided hotel form. This is reflective of the aim of the theatre to bridge political divides and promote soft diplomacy.
Elevation and Section
The Facade of the theatre was developed as an abstraction of a theatre curtain. The facade acts to both represent the program occurring within the space and to represent ideas of “going behind the curtain” to reveal diplomatic practices. The Facade of the hotel has large cutouts into its perforated metal panels, revealing the public spaces within and putting the diplomatic activity occurring on show. The design of the cutouts is intended to reflect a redacted document, a symbol of secrecy, government and a lack of transparency. Here, however, this has been flipped, making the redactions now the reveals furthering the facades expression of the critique on current diplomacy.
Theatre Interior
The theatre has a flexible layout, allowing it to adapt to suit the context of the performance, conference or event happening within the space.
Project Details and Form Development
The grand staircase within the theatre takes inspiration from the Paris Opera (Palais Garnier), a project designed specifically to create a space for soft diplomacy. The multi level foyer is focused around the central staircase allowing patrons to watch and be watched through the spaces large voids. Within the bars, a curtain installation will be hung from the ceiling and will lower to surround the booths. These curtains will be set on a randomised schedule to raise and lower, revealing and exposing the discussions happening behind.
Project Plan
The project is located within the Tullamarine Airport Precinct, opposite terminal 2 and 3 and replaces the existing Park Royal Hotel. Within the hotel there is a restaurant, two bars, a lounge and private hotel rooms.
Madeleine Edwards, Soft Diplomacy
Madeleine Edwards, Elevation and Section
Madeleine Edwards, Theatre Interior
Madeleine Edwards, Project Details and Form Development
In the spirit of reconciliation Monash University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
