FigTree Theatre Foyer & Bar

university of NSW, Kensington Campus · completed 2011

“In spite of the fact that the building is extremely modest, this is an oasis in a great concrete world, it’s sylvan, arcadian and beautiful.”
Professor Robert Quentin,1969

The refurbishment of the Fig Tree theatre foyer and bar has contributed to the enlivening of the historically significant Fig Tree theatre precinct UNSW. The contemporary presentation of the venue which was the birth place of NIDA has increased the profile and cultural value of a theatre that has already informed the lives of generations of theatre practitioners and their audiences.

The design acknowledges the ‘world of theatre’. The bespoke seating platform plays with the theme of spectator versus performer.  By blurring this relationship the platform cum seating bank allows patrons to simultaneously ‘see’ and ‘be seen’.

The bar is graced by a changeable backdrop made of 150mm wide glass reversible panels. Venue users set the scene for their events with either; a bank of solid orange colour, alternating stripes of colour/mirror, or all mirrors. This enables the foyer space to be manipulated to suit the world of a production whether it be a tragedy, comedy or contemporary avant guard performance.