Home to the Queensland Ballet, the Thomas Dixon Centre, is a transformative adaptive reuse project that has achieved WELL Certification™. It is the first heritage listed arts facility in the world to become WELL Certified™ at the Platinum level.
During early project workshops, the design team, in conjunction with the State of Queensland and Queensland Ballet, identified ‘wellness’ as a core value, along with ‘art’, ‘people’ and ‘home’.
These four foundational ‘pillars’ were enacted through embodying WELL Building Standard principles into the design and the daily life of the building, facilitating the creation of healthy spaces to support the best performance and production outcomes, as well as enhancing community engagement.
“The Thomas Dixon Centre’s social impact is significant, fostering inclusivity and wellbeing.”
David Gole, Principal Sector Leader Heritage
The revitalised building features gender-neutral bathrooms, an accessible change facility, and wheelchair seating options in the viewing room, boardroom, and theatre with provision for low-sensory performances.
The user experience is enhanced through the connection with nature including external edible gardens, indoor planting, and terraces. Abundant natural light is also available via windows, skylights and clerestory lighting, supplemented by a circadian lighting system in select areas.
Sustainability initiatives in line with WELL Building Standard include hazardous waste management, removal of non-original additions and reinstatement of the heritage-listed facade, a local material palette that is distinctly Queensland, 100% fresh air management, rainwater storage and irrigation, a 71kW solar system, solar hot water, and dedicated bicycle parking to encourage physical activity.
Queensland Ballet Executive, Dilshani Weerasinghe:
“The Thomas Dixon Centre – home to Queensland Ballet, has been designed to inspire peak performance, nurture creativity, and encourage wellbeing in everyday life for decades to come. We are thrilled to have witnessed our vision for a community centre brought to life, making real positive impacts in our local neighbourhood.”
The WELL Building Standard recognises spaces that advance human health and wellbeing with a people-first approach to buildings, organisations, and communities. It focuses on achieving better air quality, healthy materials, enhancing wellbeing, fostering a culture of health, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
