End Of Construction Marks Next Phase For Youth Digital Centre

November 2009 signalled the beginning of an exciting new phase for The Edge, a digital centre for young people at the Cultural Centre, with construction ending.

The facility, based at the State Library of Queensland, has undergone a $10.15 million makeover over the past six months to adapt the former auditorium building into The Edge – a creative new space with a focus on learning, making, sharing and presenting using contemporary tools and critical ideas.

This includes $7.9 million in construction costs to create the vision for The Edge with spaces for performances, presentations, workshops and media labs along with catering service points and a new lift for equitable access.

Critical maintenance of $2.25 million was also undertaken to upgrade and rewire the building, install a main electrical switchboard, replace emergency and exit lighting, smoke detectors and air conditioning and ensure the building, which is over 20 years old, is compliant with current codes.

With construction now complete, the State Library can prepare for the opening of The Edge in February 2010 and begin the process of moving in, setting up staffing, software integration and programming.

The Edge gives young people a truly unique space for people to create screen-based production, videos, animation, audio recording and sound art and where experimentation in design, art and enterprise will be encouraged.

The Edge will partner with educational and arts organisations to produce multidisciplinary programming and provide mentorship opportunities.

Even the building itself has the potential to be used as a medium for screening and projection with broadcast opportunities inside and out.

The Edge was designed by Brisbane architectural firm m3architecture, with Deicke Richards as supporting architect, Aurecon Group as consulting engineers, Abigroup as managing contractor with the Department of Public Works providing project management.

The Queensland Government is investing $7.9 million to develop The Edge, a cornerstone of arts culture + me (external site), the Queensland Government's Children and Young People in the Arts Action Plan 2008-2011.

16 April 2009 - Construction starts on The Edge (external site)

17 July 2008 – Young people's Cultural Centre space on The Edge of design