A demountable, lightweight pavilion has popped up in Adelaide’s theatre precinct, acting as the newest club for the city’s annual arts festival.
Designed by Tina Engelen and Will Fung of Co-ap Architects, who won a design competition for the project, The Summerhouse replaces the Riverbank Palais, the floating pontoon club of the previous three Adelaide Festivals.
The Summerhouse sits between the Adelaide Festival Theatre and Dunstan Playhouse in Elder Park, overlooking the river. Co-ap’s design is based around intersecting circles, which enclose an auditorium and bar. It will be open from dawn until midnight throughout the festival, which runs from 26 February until 14 March, playing host to fifteen headlining contemporary music acts, opera on the big screen and a range of other free and ticketed events.
Co-artistic directors of Adelaide Festival Rachel Healy and Neil Armfield said the club would be the “beating heart” of the festival.
“We wanted to create something very special, a festival centre that will surprise us again and again over the next three years,” said Healy.
Armfield added, “Set amidst the beauty of the Torrens and Parklands, it will breathe with light and life and offer a place for pleasure, reflection, and stimulation: there’s truly something for everyone.”
