Gina O'Meara

My project focusses on two key aspects; accessibility of music and mental health, and how these can overlap. Music therapy is an already existing form of treatment, I chose to bring this to the Clifton Hill area in the form of a transformative theatre that offers stages, therapy rooms, recording rooms, a bar, subterranean pool, and garden. You'll find water to be a recurring feature in streams, tanks, pools, and waterfalls.

The Opera Falls - Entrance

The site is made up of the foyer, the mezzanine. the stage, backstage, and the garden; these moments work in conjunction with the therapy spaces to create a performance area that can be shifted between private and public use.

The main stage and seating areas act as a bridge between the public spaces, consisting of a bar, bathrooms and cloaking room, ticket booth, gardens and first floor therapy rooms. The private green room, costume storage spaces, offices and rehearsal stage become accessible when the stage isn't in use; the curtains separate to allow fluid movement and full use.

Floor Plan

A graphic visualisation of the central stage, surrounded by amenities and the mezzanine.

Spatial Separation

The space has uniquely public and private areas, with bridging zones in between.

The Stage and Below

Below the stage resides a steaming pool for clothed bathing and relaxation, with steam collected in ceiling vents to contribute to the site's geothermal energy system.

Section

Below the site rests a geothermal power and heating/cooling system. The water moves under the floor regulating temperature, and is filtered before being sent back to the pool. Steam from the heat is collected in ceiling vents to create power.

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