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Concrete’s sublime textural
qualities on display at Hamer Hall,
redeveloped by ARM Architecture.
Photo: John Gollings.04
The transformation of Hamer Hall
has opened up new connections to
Melbourne city and the Yarra
River. Photo: John Gollings.Hamer Hall
ARM Architecture’s design for the
redevelopment of Melbourne’s iconic Hamer
Hall has transformed a previously inward-
looking building into a more outward-facing
venue, and has activated a critical riverside
connection for the Melbourne CBD. The
invigorated building, which features
improved acoustics, seating, stage
technology and back-of- house facilities,
integrates new accessible public spaces and
engages the public with the dynamic
character of the adjacent Yarra River.
The project creates a new terrace over the
existing riverbank promenade that includes
a “civic stair” that connects the nearby river
to St Kilda Road. The transformed Hall now
includes a second entry that allows direct
access from the lower Southbank Promenade
to the building’s well-known circular foyer.
At the river’s edge, the face of the Hall has
been transformed. A new terrace and
podium with an entry into the Hall function
as elegant counterpoints to the original
architect Roy Grounds’ iconic geometry.
Inspired by open-ended and dynamic
spatial systems, the form plays on Grounds’
original concept of excavation through the
act of carving.
A desire to retain designer John Truscott’s
original interiors drove the design and
planning of the Hamer Hall redevelopment.
The reimagined Hall melds a deep
understanding of the technical processes of
concrete production with the textural and
material qualities of concrete to create an
evocative and iconic structure with poetic
overtones. The Hall has become a landmark
of the city and a destination for the whole
community.
Both projects were award winners in the
CCAA Public Domain awards of 2013.
For more information:
E [email protected]
W ccaa.com.au
LANDSCAPE ISSUE 163 048 —01
Water playground areas sculpted
from concrete in the Port Coogee
estate designed by Hassell. Photo:
Peter Bennetts02
Wave-like retaining walls that
double as seating elements evoke
the maritime surrounds at Port
Coogee marina. Photo: Peter
Bennetts0304