The Adelaide Convention Centre has announced the appointment of Woods Bagot Pty Ltd, in association with London based Larry Oltmanns of Vx3 Architects as the design team for its $350 million expansion project. Baulderstone have been appointed as the lead contractor.

(Image l-r) Woods Bagot’s Gavin Kain, Adelaide Convention Centre Chief Executive, Alec Gilbert, and Vx3 Architects’ CEO, Larry Oltmanns

“We are confident that in working with Woods Bagot along with Larry Oltmanns we will ensure an iconic building, not only in terms of design and its relationship with the Riverbank Precinct, but also in terms of operation. We aim to represent best practice, not just in 2016, but for many years to come,” Adelaide Convention Centre Chief Executive, Alec Gilbert, said.

The Woods Bagot, Larry Oltmanns, Baulderstone team undertake the project with an intimate understanding of the Adelaide Convention Centre, having spearheaded the venue’s successful extensions of 2001. The expansion will be undertaken in two stages, with the first consisting of the addition of a new building west towards the Morphett Street Bridge, creating the Morphett Street Boulevard. This will be complete in time to host the estimated 3000 delegates attending the World Aquaculture Conference in May 2014.

The second stage, expected to be complete by late 2016, will replace the original plenary building with a modern, multi-purpose facility including a flexible auditorium for 3000 delegates, which will be able to be subdivided or extended.

Construction will commence in September of this year.

During construction it will be ‘business as usual’ with the venue continuing to deliver its Gold Service Green Attitude, for which it is renowned. “Due to the site characteristics and the staging of building works we anticipate very little disruption and no loss of space,”  Gilbert said.