Wesley Place – 130 Lonsdale – 2022 National Architecture Awards

2022 National Architecture Awards: Heritage – Shortlist

Wesley Place - 130 Lonsdale | Lovell Chen with COX Architecture

Traditional Land Owners: The Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation

The Wesley Church complex in central Melbourne is a substantial and complete collection of related mid-to-late nineteenth and early twentieth century ecclesiastical buildings. The principal group of 1858-59 buildings all designed by architect Joseph Reed in the Gothic Revival style — are architecturally significant as the earliest intact church complex in the state.

The vision for the project was to conserve the Church and secure its future through a site-wide regeneration process. Works included construction of a new office tower designed by COX Architects for the east side of the site, and new landscaping by Oculus introduces an inviting green space to the CBD, re-engaging the city centre with this significant group of buildings.

The buildings and original landscape features have undergone major conservation works based on forensic investigation of the fabric and photographic material to reinstate, restore, and repair the original fabric.

Client perspective:
How does the design benefit the way you live/work/play/operate/educate/other?

Preservation of Melbourne’s heritage was an important pillar of the project. The development includes a comprehensive and sympathetic restoration of the existing heritage buildings. Together, these have been described as “one of the finest examples of intact neo-gothic architecture in Melbourne”. Refurbishment of the site at ground level has provided a revitalised precinct with restored and repurposed buildings providing the community with spaces for contemplative, communal and dining activities. With the utmost care and respect — guided by a heritage consultant—Melbourne’s largest collection of Gothic Revival buildings has been carefully restored to celebrate the past while pursuing the future.

Practice team:

James Fennell, Designer
Zen Lee, Associate
Tommy Miller, Associate
Simon Haussegger, Director
Shjaan Versey, Associate
Pete Sullivan, Director
Michael Shore, Associate
Johannes Lupolo-Chan, Associate
Christina Prodromou, Director
Andrew Mayne, Associate
Alex Purdon, Interior Designer
Philip Rowe, Director
Felicity Strong, Interpretation
Kate Gray, Senior Heritage Consultant
Anne-Marie, Treweeke Architect
Audrey Ong, Project Architect
Christophe Loustau, Design Architect
Peter Lovell, Director Heritage Conservation

Builder:

Lendlease

Construction team:

BG&E, Façade Consultant
Urbis, Town Planner
Irwinconsult, Fire Engineer
Morris Access Consulting, DDA Consultant
Rider Levett Bucknall, Quantity Surveyor
NDYLight, Lighting Consultant
Greenwood Consulting, Arborist
Dr Vincent Clark & Associates, Archaelogical
Armitage Jones, Project Manager
Oculus Landscape, Landscape Architect
NDY, Lift Consultant
FLOTH Consultants, Services Engineer
Mark Hodkinson Pty Ltd, Heritage Structural Engineer
AECOM, Structural Engineer
AECOM, Civil Consultant
McKenzie Group, Building Surveyor
Lovell Chen, Heritage Architect