Hyder Theatre

The Scots College 
Bellevue Hill NSW
Completed in 2024
Photos by Melina Bilotta, Alex Donnini Photography and TonyPottsPhotography

Early design studies for the interior of the John Cunningham Student Centre at the Scots College, conceived of a Theatrette, a space where groups of a hundred or so could assemble for the exchange of ideas, presentations, lively discussion and debate. The space is a double side chamber with rows of seating on terracing facing each other across the ‘floor’ [think House of Commons] to encourage spirited exchange. There are plenty of precedents for this arrangement [political, religious] the College wanted to create an intimate chamber, richly decorated and detailed.

Concept sketches for the space were developed from the Scots Baronial interiors the practice visited during an Edinburgh tour in 2019. Named the Hyder Theatrette, the Hyder Family are the generous patrons who made this assembly space possible.

A collaboration with Mario Savva, managing director of SAVCON to resolve the detailed joinery package: posts, panelling & pughs. Workshopping details such as the post below was part of a very productive dialogue, a very rare pleasure.

Fibrous plaster mouldings for the Waratah, ceiling mouldings, cornice and column claddings were developed in collaboration with Roger Bailey / BAILEY INTERIORS. Rubber moulds for the plaster were taken from 3D printed profiles. We designed components and prepared 3D files, Roger and his team resolved fabrication interface. We first collaborated on fibrous plaster detailing for the 2021 Harry Triguboff Auditorium reconstruction project.

The pattern & detailing of the entry floor mosaic is quite spectacular and was developed in close collaboration with Steven Adams at the College. The Rampant Lion is a central feature of a grand entry statement.

Four beautiful lamps, two at either end have been put in place within the chamber. The lamps are a gift to the College by a donor family: Jim Frecklington managed the production of 4 large brass and Wedgewood crystal lamps which were originally intended for a royal carriage. The lamps were delivered to the College by him on 18 September 2019. The crystal was engraved by the late Thomas Hayes between 1992 to 1994. He accompanied Jim to the Vatican where the Lamps were blessed by His Holiness Pope John Paul. After being on display at the Vatican, the Lamps were taken to London where they were blessed by The Archbishop of Canterbury prior to them being air freighted to Sydney.

There is only one set of these Lamps in existence. Each lamp is 109cm high and 30cm in diameter. The lamps display four Biblical scenes: Madonna and Child, Good Shepherd , Crucifixion and Michelangelo's Pieta"