Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC)

With over 150,000 residents located within the city of Cairns, the region is often seen as the gateway to the Far North of Queensland, so much so that the population has more than trebled in 40 years. This growth has led to an increasing appetite for the modern conveniences and facilities found in the large cities of Australia, including modern theatre facilities which can cater to larger audiences and modern musical acts.

The solution was the development of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre; a modern facility comprised of a 1000 person foyer, 940 seat main auditorium and a 400-seat studio theatre. Arup, the lead engineers and Cox Architecture have designed a building which is capable of withstanding cyclones, which minimizes the use of columns, and which has large open spaces which augment the sound quality. It meant that structural solutions were required to ensure the vision could be achieved, which from our point of view meant we needed to assist with the specification of Nullifire SC902 which would ensure compliance with all BCA requirements for fire rating.