NORPA Shares Vision for New Lismore Home, The Joinery
Regional NSW arts organisation NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) has shared its vision for a new home, housed in the historic Hampton & Larsson timber factory in the centre of Lismore and referred to as The Joinery.
NORPA has been adrift since the devastating floods of 2022 caused extensive damage to the organisation’s previous base at Lismore City Hall.
Aimed at creating a new cultural hub for the performing arts in the region, the initiative transforms a historic 3000 square metre Lismore timber factory into a flood-resilient, world-class arts incubator, setting a powerful precedent for how the arts can drive community renewal in the face of climate disasters.
In collaboration with award-winning Sydney based architects CHROFI, The Joinery’s design includes the use of robust and hard-wearing materials that can withstand inundation, elements to allow the free passage of floodwaters and debris to reduce damage as well as maximising the building’s capacity to dry out quickly.
"The Joinery project is an opportunity to embrace creativity and innovation in flood resilience. Rather than resisting the elements, we see this as a chance to work with them - designing spaces that not only provide shelter during flood events but also invite and engage the Lismore arts community. At the heart of this vision is the building itself, rich in character and history. Its bones and fabric hold a beauty that makes it an inspiring backdrop for creative expression,” said John Choi, Director, CHROFI.
“NORPA is embedded in the Lismore community, the town is in our DNA and we’re committed for the future. The Joinery location places us at the heart of town, directly contributing to its energy and economy," explained NORPA Executive Director, Libby Lincoln. "This new home for NORPA will be a creative catalyst for the region’s many artists, for First Nations perspectives and for community-driven projects that celebrate the region’s unique identity and collective healing journey. It’s a big ambitious project and that’s right in NORPA’s wheelhouse.”
The Joinery embodies NORPA’s trademark ability to adapt unique locations into performance spaces, while providing the company with a much-needed permanent home. Once completed, the building’s design will offer professional space for artists to rehearse and create work for regional and national presentation. Large versatile contemporary spaces support a range of activities, from live performances to workshops and programs that reflect the Northern Rivers’ unique stories and creative vibrancy.
The Joinery can accommodate multiple resident companies and also attract national and international visiting artists. NORPA’s Artistic Director, Julian Louis, shared, “This is much more than a building; it’s a commitment to our region, fuelling new opportunities for the role of the arts in disaster recovery and forging partnerships beyond the arts - with community, social and commercial organisations. Our long-term vision involves adapting it into a contemporary cultural facility that is nationally recognised and reflects the bold creativity of our region.”
NORPA’s 2024 work, My Cousin Frank will be taking local stories to a national stage at next month’s Adelaide Festival. NORPA’s sell out productions include Love for One Night at the Eltham Hotel, Flow in Lismore and Maclean, and Wildskin in Lismore.
NORPA is currently seeking to raise $600,000 to purchase the Hampton & Larsson site.
“Theatre is a collaborative artform and you need two elements to make it: people and space. We already know from NORPA’s existing body of work that there are many incredible interdisciplinary creatives in the Northern Rivers. We have the people, now we just need the other part of the equation: the space to make the work,” said Heather Fairbairn – NORPA’s Artistic Associate.
Image credits: Renders by CHROFI. Photographs by Kurt Petersen.
