Lismore City Hall

Lismore City Hall is a cultural institution at the heart of the Northern Rivers. It is recognised as the premier venue for the performing arts in the region and serves as home to the Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA). Established in 1965, this two-storey, standalone public building was significantly impacted by the Lismore floods in 2022.

Bennett Constructions engaged BKA Architecture to design and document the remedial, restoration, and upgrade works for Lismore City Hall, which is expected to be completed in early 2026. The project has been allocated $17 million in funding from the New South Wales and Federal governments, as well as Lismore City Council.

BKA has designed and documented restoration work on the exterior of the civic building, as its historic features are a significant part of the community’s architectural fabric. Considering its environmental susceptibility, considerable upgrades have been designed internally to enhance the hall’s flood resilience and meet contemporary standards. This includes raising the building services above flood zone levels and selecting water-resistant raw materials that contribute to an industrial aesthetic.

The revitalisation work also encompasses internal spatial reorganisation, an extension to the building, and functional upgrades to accommodate increased capacity. This will be enhanced by the installation of new amenities and a commercial kitchen in the next stage of works, enabling the service of a variety of events.