Hamer Hall | ARM Architecture

Hamer Hall

The underlying ideas behind the design come from the strength of the conflicting thematics by Roy Grounds and John Truscott. Our commission comprised a review of the master plan for the whole of the Arts Centre precinct its relationship to greater Southbank. Our mission, gradually refined through conflicts and agreements with the various client participants was to open up Hamer Hall, integrating it with the river and make it a 21st Century venue.

Courtesy of ARM Architecture – Photography: John Gollings

Underlying our job was to repair its standing as a major civic building. The building represents two artistic discourses in Melbourne: the architectural story of the castle and the mine: the theatrical story of the palace and the cave of jewels. We took these two narratives, reinterpreted them and added our own voice to the story of Hamer Hall. The new riverside section is inspired by a new geometry.

Courtesy of ARM Architecture – Photography: John Gollings

The redevelopment was approved by Heritage Victoria. Throughout the redevelopment we took great care to preserve many unique heritage aspects of the Hall, retaining Roy Grounds’ base architecture and as much as possible of John Truscott’s original interiors.

Courtesy of ARM Architecture – Photography: John Gollings

The redevelopment repairs HH’s performance acoustics, to world standards, installs state of the art stage technology and back of house facilities. The patron amenity is completely redesigned, with an increased foyer area, toilet numbers, and lounges with exterior modifications that create a more outward facing venue to make it more accessible and inviting to the public.

Courtesy of ARM Architecture – Photography: John Gollings

The existing built form of the drum has been retained but radical changes were made to the Riverside section of the precinct. The new form draws its influences from Grounds’ muse, the Castel San Angelo, Rome. Built-in off‐form concrete it recalls the rusticated base of the Roman ruin. The layout reinforces the existing ant tracks around the building.

Courtesy of ARM Architecture – Photography: John Gollings

Our commission was to rethink the master plan completed earlier by FJMT. The funding for the project had been primarily focused on high-level ambitions for rebranding Hamer Hall and repairing theater technology and poor access. Quickly the team had honed in on the main programmatic challenges to be addressed.

Courtesy of ARM Architecture – Photography: John Gollings

These included improved integration with Hall’s surroundings, especially St Kilda Rd and Riverside, substantial Hall acoustic repair, substantial operating and technical improvements, a third revenue stream through new F&B spaces and improved patron amenity. While this was latent in the overall business case, it had never been defined physically or translated into a budget. We did that.

Courtesy of ARM Architecture – Photography: Peter Bennetts

The project was delivered through an Alliance contract, which means that the architects were an equal member of the project delivery team comprising Owner, Constructor, and Designer. Hamer Hall reborn was delivered within the State’s target budget, and within the prescribed but unrealistically short time frame. Anecdotally, the scope and functionality have been achieved well beyond “business as usual” and the expectations of the client.

Plan – Courtesy of ARM Architecture

Project Info
Architects: ARM Architecture
Location: Southbank, Australia
Design Team: Ian McDougall, Stephen Ashton, Howard Raggatt, Neil Masterton, Peter Bickle, Stephen Davies, Jonothan Cowle, Andrea Wilson, Rhonda Mitchell, Doug Dickson, William Pritchard, Paul Buckley, Justin Fagnani, Sarah Lake, Tom Denham, Matthew Ginnever, Allira Davies, Tim Brooks, Asako Miura, Andrew Lilleyman, Aaron Poupard, Andrew Ta, Deborah Rowe, Jason Lee, Ken Billan, Lee Lambrou, Mark Raggatt, Martine De Flander, Monique Brady, Mordechai Toor, Natalie Lysenko, Sarah Box, Sarah Lake, Simon Shiel, Tobi Pederson, Tom Denham, Tom Marsh
Manufacturers: ShapeShell
Builder: Baulderstone
Structural & Services: Aurecon
Landscape Architecture: Taylor Cullity Lethlean
Year: 2012
Type: Cultural Center
Photographs: John Gollings, Peter Bennetts

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