MEMORY THEATRE
THE MEMORY THEATRE
Though absent long, These forms of beauty have not been to me,
As is a landscape to a blind man’s eye: But oft, in lonely rooms, and 'mid the din Of towns and cities, I have owed to them,
In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart;
And passing even into my purer mind, With tranquil restoration
Introduction
Sydney Harbour Drama House
The Sydney Harbour Drama House reimagines theatre as an immersive, memory-rich journey that connects deeply with Sydney’s iconic harbour landscape. Inspired by the idea that architecture can evoke layered narratives, this project situates itself not on solid ground, but within the fluid, reflective realm of the harbour—a setting charged with collective memory, cultural significance, and natural beauty.
Drawing from Sydney’s unique maritime history and the land’s Indigenous heritage, the design frames the harbour itself as a stage. Audiences are invited to engage with performances on multiple stages, each representing a temporal perspective: the past, present, and future. As they choose their own paths through this journey, the theatre experience becomes a personal encounter with the site’s history and an exploration of the city’s identity, both remembered and imagined. This theatre exists as both a landmark and a vessel for the city’s memories, floating within the rhythms and reflections of the harbour, a transient presence echoing the stories of Sydney.
I. Habour Memories
The Site
Yurulbin Park, located in New South Wales, holds deep historical and cultural ties to Sydney's harbor culture. Once a cradle for Indigenous fishing traditions, the site evolved through its shipyard heyday into its current role as a ferry terminal. This park is rich with memories of harbor culture, serving as a living archive of Sydney's maritime history.
Today, however, Yurulbin Park faces neglect. It is under-maintained and functions mainly as a quiet rest area for nearby residents and a ferry access point, drawing little attention from the wider public. Despite its designation as an Indigenous cultural heritage site, it has not received the attention it deserves. Instead, it is threatened by construction activities related to the Western Harbor Tunnel, putting its cultural significance at risk.
1796 1879 1885 1912
BOAT COMPANY & WHARF
Use of the area as a power boat company & the wharf
REINSTATEMENT of the traditional name for the area to Yurulbin over Long Nose Point 1917-1919 1923-1970 1972 1994
MORRISON and SINCLAIR
Use of the site for shipbuilding
YURULBIN PARK Developed
The concept of the Memory Theatre is to create a space that navigates the journey from historical human civilization to the new, contemporary harbor culture—a space that weaves together the past, present, and future. This floating theatre aims to celebrate Sydney’s harbor culture while reviving Yurulbin Park's place in public memory. It aspires to serve not only as a theatre but as a community cultural centre, where new memories are created and old ones are preserved.
The design of the theatre draws inspiration from the concepts of "route" and "circle," symbolizing the flow of time and the layering of memories. At each angle in the space, visitors encounter distinct moments of history and glimpses of the present, as if standing within a vast time compass where each shift in perspective reveals an interwoven narrative of past, present, and future.
Precedences
Memory Theatre draws from influential precedents to create a layered, immersive space that bridges past, present, and future through optical illusion and varied perspectives.
Inspired by Giulio Camillo’s Theatre of Memory, the design establishes a central viewing point, with radiating sightlines leading to three distinct stages—each symbolizing a different temporal memory stage. This radial arrangement encourages audiences to explore memories through focused fragments aligned with unique backdrops.
The flexibility of Walter Gropius’s Total Theatre informs Memory Theatre’s adaptable stage arrangements, which support diverse performance styles and audience interactions.
Additionally, Camillo’s bridge concept informs Memory Theatre’s use of angled perspectives, allowing the audience’s position to shift their experience with each stage. These elements together craft a theatre that immerses viewers in collective and personal memories, rooted in visual and spatial storytelling.
The Concept
Memory Theatre creates a journey that deeply connects with the historical and cultural layers of its site. The design uses varied stage heights and orientations to frame distinct perspectives, each evoking a specific temporal memory— past, present, or future.
The immersive performance format allows for simultaneous stage performances, enabling audience members to select a personal memory moment. Free to enter or exit at any point, viewers engage in an unbounded narrative, moving between stages to experience different angles of memory and interact with performers, fostering a fluid, individualized connection to the site's evolving story.
Balls Head
STAGE OF "PAST'
The “Past” stage draws inspiration from Balls Head, a site rich in Indigenous heritage and historical significance. This stage represents Sydney’s ancient land and its early interactions, immersing the audience in the memory of Indigenous port culture and the original landscapes, setting a foundation for collective memory.
Sydney
Harbour Bridge
STAGE OF "PRESENT'
The “Present” stage centers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, an iconic symbol of modern Sydney. This stage encapsulates the city’s identity today, representing the bustling connections, resilience, and multiculturalism that define contemporary Sydney, inviting the audience to engage with the present moment.
Cityscape:
Sydney Central Business District
STAGE OF "FUTURE'
The “Future” stage is oriented towards the cityscape of Sydney’s CBD, embodying aspirations, innovation, and evolving urban landscapes. This stage represents the forward-looking vision of Sydney, encouraging the audience to imagine the possibilities and transformations that the city’s future holds.
II. Architectural Narratives
Gather and Prepare
The audience gathers in the open space outside the theater, immersing themselves in nature as they prepare for the upcoming performance.
Entrance Journey Explore Amenities Immersive Viewing
The audience follows a path into the theater, gradually reaching the core of the space, symbolizing the beginning of their journey into memory.
The audience enters social spaces within the theater, enjoying moments of relaxation and interaction, adding a social and leisurely aspect to the experience.
The audience watches the performance from their chosen stage area, experiencing different atmospheres of memories.
