Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the two-stage competition is expected to attract a host of exciting design teams led by some of the world’s top architects and landscape architects.

“This opportunity to develop a quintessentially Gold Coast cultural precinct is attracting interest from design professionals from every continent,” Cr Tate said.

“They will compete for the opportunity to design a landmark cultural ‘heart and soul’ on 11 hectares of the stunning Evandale site on Australia’s Gold Coast. Council’s vision for the site includes a Living Arts Centre, for performing arts and cinema; a New Arts Museum for media, art and design; a stunning outdoor garden Artscape and a green bridge to adjacent Chevron Island.’

Stage one, from 26 March, will provide competitors with six weeks to develop and submit proposals that include a high-level design response and outline their team’s capability. An independent expert jury will assess submissions.

Stage two, over 12 weeks from 18 June, during which up to three short-listed teams will each be paid AUD$250,000 to further develop their responses. The jury will then select a winner to work with Council to deliver the cultural precinct.

Competitors can register from 19 March via LG tender box.

Mayor Tate said Council wants to create a landmark precinct at Evandale framed by the Nerang River and with views of the city skyline and hinterland mountains.

“Concepts will need to be distinctive and innovative and will have to respond to a comprehensive design brief. The winning design will evolve into the city’s creative commons, a place loved by residents and a must-see visitor destination.

“This will be a complex task, so we are encouraging multi-disciplinary design teams. We hope to see involvement from local, national and international designers across a wide range of disciplines, from architecture and engineering to digital and lighting design and arts management.”

Mayor Tate said the jury would be looking for something outstanding; something that captures the essence of the city and its cultural identity, with the potential to attract investment and to contribute to the Gold Coast’s place as a major tourist destination.

Gold Coast Cultural Precinct

goldcoastculturalprecinct.info