Melbourne Grammar School [South Yarra] Memorial Hall & Shelmerdine Music Studio
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client Melbourne Grammar School
status Complete 2005
location Bromby Street, South Yarra, Victoria
traditional land owners Bunurong People
original architect Hugh Peck, 1928
photography John Gollings
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The ‘Old Grammarians War Memorial Hall’ has been extensively refurbished and extended to provide facilities for Music and the Performing Arts, as well as general School use. New accommodation includes a significantly expanded basement for storage, back-of-house under stage areas, a Music Studio and rehearsal space as well as improved stage size and drama performance facilities. The Shelmerdine Music Studio is a spectacular space with a soaring 8-metre ceiling designed specifically to accommodate a full symphony orchestra. Given severe site and heritage constraints, most of the new space has been provided underground, except for a modest addition to extend the stage and wings. The development of the western extension has allowed the opportunity to relocate the Bromby Street driveway to align axially with the Witherby Tower and South Quadrangle and so improve the vista and entrance from the south. The Memorial Hall complex has been transformed into a worthy new home for the Performing Arts, Music and the life of the School community in general.
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2006 Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage [National]
Institutional Alterations & Extensions Award