For the past 25 years, I’ve had this little tradition—five times a year, like clockwork, I’d go to the ballet at the Arts Centre in Melbourne. It’s become a ritual, something I look forward to, not just for the performance, but for the whole experience. It’s not just the ballet itself, but everything around it that sets the mood. The drive in, the space, the design and even the walk to my seat all contribute to how the space shapes my emotions before the first note of the music even begins.

With the Arts Centre now closed for renovations, the ballet has moved to the Regent Theatre for the next four years. Saturday night, I attended my first performance there. I’ve got to be honest—it completely threw me. All day today, I’ve been reflecting on the experience. There was something about the change in space that made me feel completely different and I just couldn’t settle into the evening. It has me thinking about how spaces shape our emotions—whether it nurtures or drains us.

The Experience at the Arts Centre:
(Space and Emotion in Harmony)

The Arts Centre has always been more than just a building to me. It’s part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, built to bring the arts to life. It’s not just a performance venue, it’s like a little sanctuary built into the banks of the Yarra River. You can feel its energy as soon as you arrive. Everything about the space contributes to how space shapes our emotions when we walk through it.

Everything there just flows effortlessly. There’s minimal traffic, easy parking, and once you walk in, you’re already immersed in the experience. Everything’s under one roof, which makes a huge difference. You can have dinner, take your time, and ease into the night. I’ve always found that transition so important. The gold accents, rich burgundy velvet seats, and deep carpets all help you relax. Even the mirrors seem purposefully placed to ease you into the evening.

When I sit down at the Arts Centre, I feel wrapped up in the space. It’s luxurious but simple enough to let me focus on the performance. The warm, soft lighting and hidden orchestra keep distractions away. Everything works together to show how spaces shape our emotions and helps me let the performance wash over me.

The Regent Theatre:
(An Unexpected Shift)

But Saturday night…… was so different. The Regent Theatre, while it has this incredible history—it opened in 1929 as a picture theatre, was restored after a fire, then closed again before finally being brought back in the 90s—just wasn’t designed for the same kind of experience as the Arts Centre. It was built for movies, so it has a very different vibe. It’s beautiful, but not in a way that nurtured the kind of emotional space I’ve come to expect. It’s an example of how different design can impact how spaces shape our emotions.

The whole evening felt rushed and tight. Parking was a nightmare, and the crowds were overwhelming. Before I knew it, I was already at my seat. The space felt off—low ceilings, a smaller stage. It didn’t have the grandeur or breathing room I’m used to. I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath, which is exactly how spaces shape our emotions when it feels too compressed or rushed.

The Sensory Experience of a Show.

Seeing a show, especially something as immersive as ballet, is a full sensory experience. It’s not just what you’re watching on stage—it’s how the whole environment supports that experience. At the Arts Centre, everything about the space—the lighting, the textures, the layout—helps you ease into the moment. It gives you that emotional breathing room, space to feel the performance, not just watch it.

At the Regent, though, it tipped into sensory overload. The orchestra was right there, at eye level, which kept pulling my attention away from the dancers. And there’s so much going on visually with the theatre itself—more patterns, more architectural details—and while it’s beautiful in its own way, it was just too much for me last night. I couldn’t relax into it. The lighting wasn’t bad, but it didn’t stand out either. It’s one of those things where you don’t even realize how much lighting can affect your mood until it’s not working in your favor. And the materials didn’t give me that same rich, cozy feeling I’m used to. It wasn’t bad, just different—more formal, perhaps, and less about making you feel held by the space.

In all honestly, the ballet itself normally pulls me in, challenges me and makes me reflect. But on Saturday night, I found it hard to focus on the story because the environment had already taken up so much of my energy.

Reflections on Space and Emotion.

So today, I’ve been asking myself—would I have felt differently if the ballet had been at the Arts Centre? I think I would have. The design of the environment matters so much more than we think. It shapes how we feel, how we engage, and how present we are. It’s a reminder of how spaces shape our emotions, whether we notice it or not.

The Arts Centre was built to create space—space for reflection, space to breathe, space to be moved by what’s happening on stage. The Regent, while stunning, wasn’t built for that. It has its own charm, but I didn’t have the emotional “bank” to take in what the ballet was offering.

How Do Your Spaces Shape You?

I’m curious if there spaces in your life that give you room to breathe, settle, and just be?

It’s worth thinking about—how spaces shape our emotions and how often our surroundings lift us up or pull us out of the moment.

I’ve become more aware of it now, and I wonder—what spaces help you feel fully present?