Projects | University of Queensland's Soundshell, Brisbane, Australia

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Revitalising UQ’s campus: A space for connection and creativity

The University of Queensland (UQ) has enhanced its St Lucia campus with the construction of a Soundshell that serves as a focal point for connection, learning, and entertainment. The vision was clear: an amphitheatre that would become an iconic landmark for both performances and casual gatherings, enhancing the student experience while aligning with the university’s sustainability goals.

Located alongside the iconic UQ Lake and gardens, the challenge lay in creating a structure that was both sustainably designed and aesthetically striking, while meeting the University’s goal of fostering community engagement.

From concept development to the final stages of construction, Aurecon partnered with Kirk Architects and UQ to bring the vision to life. To align with UQ’s vision, Aurecon led a series of creative workshops, exploring multiple design schemes to identify the most suitable structural solutions.

Collaborative design in action: From vision to realisation

During the concept phase, Aurecon and Kirk Architects facilitated a series of creative workshops to explore diverse structural forms for the Soundshell. This iterative process involved extensive sketching, high-level 3D models, and advanced parametric modelling to bring the design possibilities to life. Together, the team developed four distinct options, each with unique structural and aesthetic considerations.

To ensure alignment with UQ’s vision, the design team led UQ stakeholders through a collaborative workshop where the strengths and limitations of each option were presented in detail. This interactive session allowed UQ to experience the evolution of each concept and understand the technical nuances that would bring the Soundshell’s form and function into harmony with the campus.

Throughout construction, UQ staff remained actively involved, participating in structural inspections and contributing valuable insights. Their interest in the technical aspects deepened the collaborative relationship, allowing Aurecon to address stakeholder feedback in real-time and strengthen UQ’s engagement with the project.

Location

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Client

University of Queensland

Partners

Kirk Architects

Aurecon's Role

Delivering facade engineering and mass timber expertise

Expertise

Building Design, Precincts & City Shaping

Complete

2024

The team designed bespoke copper cladding panels that enhanced both aesthetics and durability.

Innovative digital tools for lasting results

Aurecon’s use of digital tools was pivotal to the success of the UQ Soundshell. The team’s structural analysis with SPACE GASS allowed for swift, accurate iterations of the amphitheatre’s complex geometry, while the parametric modelling capabilities of Dynamo enabled continuous collaboration with Kirk Architects.

This digitally driven approach allowed Aurecon to test and refine different forms in real-time, optimising the design for functionality and aesthetics, and providing UQ with dynamic visualisations throughout the project.

Creating sustainable and culturally mindful infrastructure

Aurecon’s design adhered closely to Campuses on Countries: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Design Framework, prioritising natural materials that resonate with the local environment. This framework ensures the Soundshell aligns with cultural values and contributes meaningfully to UQ’s goals of sustainable and culturally mindful infrastructure.

In shaping the final design, Aurecon’s engineering expertise drove the selection of materials that were carefully chosen to achieve both structural resilience and visual harmony with the campus environment.

By prioritising engineered timber over traditional steel, Aurecon achieved significant reductions in the project’s carbon footprint. This approach resulted in a 70 per cent decrease in embodied carbon, saving approximately 11 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent compared to steel, and allowed the timber structure to store an additional 7 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

"Aurecon’s expertise in mass timber and their ability to rapidly respond to evolving design concepts played a key role in the success of the UQ Soundshell project."
Brendan Pointon, Lead Architect, Kirk Architects

Spotted Gum hardwood was also chosen for its low maintenance requirements and durability. The timber’s natural ability to age gracefully with minimal treatment supports biophilic design principles, strengthening the connection between people and nature.

The curved steel arches and diamond-patterned glulam timber roofing create a visually striking form that is both robust and sustainable. To achieve the intricate timber-to-timber connections, Aurecon adopted European timber design standards (Eurocode), a pioneering approach in Australia where timber design guidelines are limited. This method allowed for seamlessly integrated, exposed timber connections that combine durability with architectural beauty, using stainless steel for added strength and longevity.

Bespoke lighting and facade engineering to illuminate and harmonise

Aurecon designed a bespoke lighting system that transforms the Soundshell and wider amphitheatre into a vibrant campus feature after dark. Developed in partnership with Aurecon’s Vietnam GDC lighting team, this custom lighting solution ensures the structure’s distinctive form is accentuated in the evening, making it a nighttime landmark that enhances campus safety and atmosphere.

In addition to lighting, Aurecon’s facade engineering expertise helped shape the Soundshell’s architectural identity. The team designed bespoke copper cladding panels that enhanced both aesthetics and durability. The soffit cladding, folded into a complex three-dimensional shape, was precisely engineered to integrate seamlessly with the Spotted Gum timber structure, minimising visible fixings and ensuring a refined, high-quality finish.

The Soundshell serves as a focal point for connection, learning and entertainment.

Enhancing UQ’s campus experience

Completed in June 2024, the UQ Soundshell is an inclusive, accessible, and experiential space that entices students on campus and creates memorable experiences. The amphitheatre hosted its first public event as part of the Brisbane Festival’s Saint Lucia Serenades, welcoming audiences to enjoy live music in a natural, sustainable setting.

The space is capable of hosting intimate performances and shows with small or large crowds of spectators. When not used for performances, the timber structure offers a shaded area for people to engage with UQ's signature lake and amphitheatre precinct, enhancing the campus experience for generations to come.

Revitalising UQ’s campus: A space for connection and creativity

Collaborative design in action: From vision to realisation

Innovative digital tools for lasting results

Creating sustainable and culturally mindful infrastructure

"Aurecon’s expertise in mass timber and their ability to rapidly respond to evolving design concepts played a key role in the success of the UQ Soundshell project."

Bespoke lighting and facade engineering to illuminate and harmonise

Enhancing UQ’s campus experience

TAGS

We would love to work with you to bring your ideas to life, so get in touch and we'll get back to you.

Revitalising UQ’s campus: A space for connection and creativity

Collaborative design in action: From vision to realisation

Innovative digital tools for lasting results

Creating sustainable and culturally mindful infrastructure

"Aurecon’s expertise in mass timber and their ability to rapidly respond to evolving design concepts played a key role in the success of the UQ Soundshell project."

Bespoke lighting and facade engineering to illuminate and harmonise

Enhancing UQ’s campus experience

TAGS

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We would love to work with you to bring your ideas to life, so get in touch and we'll get back to you.