Geelong Performing Arts Centre

Geelong Performing Arts Centre is a project defined as much by its urgency as by its outcome — a space where design intent was clear, but delivery required agility, precision and trust. Positioned within Geelong’s coastal environment, the building sits exposed to the realities of wind, salt air and shifting conditions, demanding a solution that could perform as confidently as it presented.

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When the original ceiling supplier withdrew post-tender, the project reached a critical moment. What followed was a rapid re-engagement between Hassell and MBS Architectural — a process focused on clarity, alignment and delivery.

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The architectural vision was already established. A series of large-format industrial mesh panels, supported on a concealed grid, were to flow seamlessly from the external canopy through to the expansive two-storey internal volume. It was a gesture that connected outside to inside, creating a continuous ceiling language that guides visitors from arrival into the heart of the building.

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Maintaining this continuity was essential, but so too was ensuring the system could withstand the environmental demands of the site.

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Working alongside a structural engineer, a bespoke solution was developed to meet these challenges. The selected metal mesh panels, sized at 1852mm by 788mm and finished in a crisp powder coated white, provide both durability and visual consistency.

Their open structure allows the ceiling to feel light despite its scale, while also supporting the integration of services without disrupting the architectural intent. Externally, the system responds to wind loads and corrosive conditions; internally, it transitions seamlessly into a controlled, refined environment.

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What would typically unfold over months was compressed into weeks. Design resolution, service coordination and system integration were delivered at pace, without compromising on outcome. Materials were manufactured, shipped and installed with a level of coordination that reflects the collaboration between Hassell, Kane Construction and Hayden Ceilings & Partitions.

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Acoustic performance, treated at the underside of the slab to achieve an NRC of 0.70, ensures the internal environment remains balanced, supporting the varied uses of the space.

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The finished result carries none of the urgency that defined its delivery. Instead, the ceiling reads as calm, continuous and assured — a unifying element that anchors the architectural experience. Geelong Performing Arts Centre stands as a demonstration of what can be achieved when design intent is protected, even under pressure, and when technical delivery rises to meet it.