It comes as no surprise that some of the most renowned architects have ventured into the realm of set design for the performing arts, spanning from opera to theatre. This is not a new phenomenon, throughout history architects, such as Palladio, have always been interested in designing in temporal ways. Testing the limits of scale and permanence within their design practice.

The architect Rafael Viñoly explains: “Designing sets is an interesting field because you’re dealing with ideas that are only suggested; you’re not dealing with the requirements needed for an architectural space.”

Not only are architects dealing with physical objects while designing sets, but they are also curating stage lighting, projections, movement, and bodies. Elements that in many ways are typical architectural considerations, but are rethought for the stage.  

Architects like Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid, Herzog & de Meuron, Daniel Libeskind, and locally the late Peter Corrigan, all have contributed significantly to theatre productions all over the globe. Pushing the boundaries of their architectural practice into new creative domains.

Who are the Australian architects you'd love to witness lending their creativity to set design?