Screen Queensland Studio Cairns

Cairns, Far North Queensland

Built across 6,500 square metres at Portsmith, this project revitalises an existing warehouse space into a state-of-the-art film production facility for Far North Queensland. The adaptive reuse strategy includes the integration of a sound stage, production offices, editing suites, a sound recording studio, and supplementary construction spaces.

The original warehouse, characterised by its expansive, contiguous volume, offers inherent flexibility for spatial organisation, ensuring privacy and eliminating noise interference from neighbouring tenants. Ample surrounding space provides an area for secure spillout if required. By leveraging existing structures and spatial configurations, the project minimises demolition and construction, thereby optimising cost management and reducing environmental impact.

Specialised technical spaces are thoughtfully integrated within the warehouse’s volume. The centrally located sound stage is defined by the existing steel column grid and utilises the full height and length afforded by the current roof structure. This isolated structure is flanked by Theatre and Green Screen spaces, situated in the remaining open area to maximise vertical space and maintain self-supporting isolation. These three key spaces are strategically positioned adjacent to the construction zones at the rear, facilitating efficient setup and assembly of production sets and props.

With support spaces being located on the ground floor, back of house operations can function with enhanced fluidity as they are within proximity to production offices and the construction/filming/production zones.

Client
Screen Queensland

In collaboration with
Cox Architecture

Year
2024

Value
12M

Services
Architecture, Interiors

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