Victoria
The refurbishment of this 1920s Multipurpose Memorial Hall thoughtfully preserves its rich history and gothic revival features to create an enduring space that is both safe and suitable for primary school children.
As a core principle, the restoration has removed multiple later additions and alterations to the building fabric, delivering a remarkable, timeless mixed-use space ideal for theatre and music performances, wet weather sports, afterschool care, assemblies, and community events.
Award for Heritage – Creative Adaption
The strength of the Christ Church Grammar School adaptive reuse is its seemingly simple palette, material choices and pared-back interventions. The architects responded to a simple brief, to insulate, open up and adapt the existing multi-use hall to ensure the space would be more appropriate in scale and feel for its young users.
The architects responded by editing the space rather than making wholesale changes, the reinstatement of the upper balcony seating, a lower stage in front of the original and the addition of acoustic panels over the original internal brickwork. Original doors and lower wall paneling were reinstated to ensure that both old and new histories can be read in unison.
Careful attention was taken to ensure that natural light is exploited throughout the space with the reestablishment of the existing gable end glazing and the addition of light timberwork throughout the space. The result is an impressive use of a limited budget to create a sensitive adaptive reuse of the original hall, creating a new front door and social hub for the school that has a sense of warmth and welcoming engagement.
The McIldowie team worked closely with us and our builders, Sinjen, to design a Hall upgrade that maintained its heritage yet provided a modern, warm and soft feel.
Everyone entering the hall has commented on the aesthetics, the acoustics, the feel and the perfect melding of old and new. We couldn’t be happier.
John McIldowie, Design Architect
Steven McIldowie, Design Architect
Bridget McKid, Graduate of Architecture
BRT, Services Consultant
Clive Steele Partners, Structural Engineer
Design Guide, Building Surveyor
DIB, AV Consultant
Buckford Illumination Group, Lighting Consultant
Marshall Day, Acoustic Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
