INTERVIEW WITH ANTON JOHNSON

BY TAHLIA LAMEY

As we reflect on the people who have made a significant contribution to the development of UKARIA over its first 10 years, our Communications Coordinator Tahlia Lamey spoke with architect Anton Johnson about his experience of witnessing the design of UKARIA Cultural Centre turn into a tangible place of inspiration, creativity and peace.

Anton, you’ve become a regular attendee of concerts at UKARIA, witnessing its transformation from a 2D architectural sketch into the fulfilment of its vision – to inspire people through culture and be a place for connecting artists, audiences and creativity. Reflecting on the commitment you’ve had to this vision, right from your earliest meetings with Ulrike, how would you say UKARIA has grown into its potential over the past 10 years?

It has been a privilege to be a part of and witness Ulrike’s vision come to full fruition.

This has been achieved, in no small part, by the enormous care and dedication of all those who have been a part of UKARIA over the past 10 years.

The core principle vision of being a place for inspiration and creativity has been honoured.

It is often said that Ulrike has given us a gift – a gift which has developed and grown into one of the most highly regarded and respected places for music and performance.

Not just in Adelaide, not just in Australia, but worldwide – an achievement that is deserving and admirable.

Artists frequently speak of the impact of the Cultural Centre on their artistry – not only from an acoustic perspective, but also from the connection with the audience and the inspiration that it provides. How does it feel to have created a place that serves as a stimulus for further creation: a place that is both a complete work of art in and of itself, and the bud of further artistry?

In one word, gratitude.

Gratitude to Ulrike for having placed such enormous trust in me to create the building and the place for her vision.

Gratitude to Alison and the dedicated team at UKARIA for the amazing line up of artists and performances that have contributed to making UKARIA what it is today.

Gratitude to Paola and the dedicated team at UKARIA for the great care put into attending to the building, the garden, the events and all that happens at UKARIA.

Gratitude to all the musicians, composers and performers who have made UKARIA so special and unique.

Gratitude to the patrons and audiences who honour the great work being done here and continue to support UKARIA.

Gratitude to ‘nature’ for the ongoing splendour of this place.

You are quoted in our book A Place for Dreaming, saying, ‘Aesthetics are always there, like a sunny misty morning enveloping your design process. By aesthetics I don’t mean how “pretty” something is going to look, I mean the full gamut of sensory engagement, which is so sorely lacking today.’ How do you think UKARIA fulfills an innate human longing for full sensory engagement?

It all begins with the place, the space and nature.

Music in itself even just through earphones engages us in a personal world.

Music in a collective space engages us in a world of companionship and a shared experience.

Music performed live in our midst engages us with the souls of its creators, a bond that is unique with each performance

Music performed in a space of beauty and awe engages us in a sense of greatness, hope and wonder.

Music performed in this acoustically pristine and aesthetically uplifting space, immersed in nature engages us in a spiritual journey of new memories.

Do you have a favourite part of the Cultural Centre – perhaps a design feature that you feel most proud of or personally connected to?

Whilst the engagement with the place that is UKARIA is one of totality – the collective combination of all its elements that make it the place it is, I will respond with one design feature and that is the ‘roof’

But even then, there are two parts; one inner and enveloping, and the other outer and expansive.

The auditorium roof structure is designed using the principles of the reciprocal frame.

The structure is self-supporting and is there to be seen and appreciated for what it is, a splendour of structural and acoustic joinery.

It embodies energy and balance in a visually dynamic canopy over the performers and the audience.

It generates a circle, that enhances the togetherness of the space, whilst having a sense of rhythm and movement.

The roof structure incorporates careful acoustic detailing to provide the ultimate diffusion of the sound waves which then return to envelope the whole space providing the audience with the fullness of the sound.

Outside the auditorium is the verandah roof over the deck which spreads its wings upwards and outwards to embrace the view and the wonder of nature that surrounds UKARIA.

This verandah provides shelter to the deck and the expansive window facing the Summit view whilst also inviting the outside to come inside and to be part of the performance within.

On arrival, the verandah opens up the building's heart, the auditorium, to invite you in and be part of the magic within.