'Monaco House', photo by Trevor Mein

The Australian architectural practice McBride Charles Ryan realised this sculptural office building in the pedestrian area at the East end of Melbourne’s CBD (Central Business District). 

'Monaco House', photo by Trevor Mein

“Dominant in the lane is the historic Melbourne Club wall and the gigantic plane trees emanating from the Melbourne Club Garden which arch over the diminutive lane. The site with dimensions of 6.1 m in width and 17m in depth and a foot print of 102.5 sqm is a postage stamp. 

Our brief was to provide a ground level entry and café, followed by two levels of office tailored for the Proprietors Investment and Philanthropic Organisation. The top level contains a small reception area primarily for official functions associated with the client’s role as Honorary Consular of Monaco.”

'Monaco House', photo by Trevor Mein

“The process of the Aggregation of the Melbourne’s allotments is now almost universally seen as a process which diminishes urban quality and diversity. There is now an earnest attempt, even in large block developments, to reintroduce fine grain urbanism that has been lost to the city. This project is rare; despite renewed respect of fine grain urbanism there are few willing to make the significant investment that this type of building entails. 

This was this client’s first foray into what may be considered contemporary architecture. Despite this inexperience, our client had a love of the design of cars, boats (particularly early 20C) and finely crafted objects. He bemoaned the loss of shape in the contemporary world. It was in the area of shape, craft and material that the architect and client found our common ground.”

'Monaco House', photo by Trevor Mein

'Monaco House', photo by Trevor Mein

 more information about the project @ Architonic

to the McBride Charles Ryan profile @ Architonic

Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation Bibliotheca by LAVA

A new architectural installation commissioned for the first anniversary of the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF) in Sydney creates a spectacular space for displaying catalogues and other publications. Designed by LAVA changing lights and effects will adapt and grow in response to each new gallery project creating an ephemeral and surreal experience.

The installation showcases LAVA’s ongoing fascination with the efficiency and beauty of geometries in nature – the potential for naturally evolving systems for new building typologies and structures.

The installation is an evolutionary display, which will adapt and grow in response to each new gallery project while creating an ephemeral and surreal experience with changing lights and effects. mHolding a selection of Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation and Art & Australia publications in honeycomb shaped cells, the installation is backlit through transparent acrylic via energy efficient LED lights.

The bookcase uses the latest digital fabrication and engineering techniques such as CNC milling and CAD CAM technology. LAVA maintained a 'digital chain' throughout the design and production process, which has established offices in Sydney, Abu Dhabi and Stuttgart over the past 12 months.

“The shape of the installation is based on a ‘voronoi’, or ‘bubble geometry’ “, Dr Gene Sherman, director of Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation who commissioned the work said, “LAVA`s installation possesses an aesthetic that resonates throughout the gallery space while being surprisingly functional.”

to Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation

to LAVA

The Melbourne Theater Company by ARM 2009

Ashton Raggatt McDougal (ARM) architects completed the design of the Melbourne Recital Center and the neighbouring Melbourne Theater Company helping to transform the formerly derelict Southbank area of the city to the dynamic district it has now become. The firm has been so successful in their designs of the two buildings that they have been honored with the 2009 Victorian Architecture Medal winning highest accolades in three categories for public architecture, interior design as well as urban design.

"This beautifully crafted development is one of a kind, reflecting a passion for music, theatre and design through construction,” said Daniel Grollo, National President of the Property Council of Australia.

In a country where the two largest cities compete for just about everything, is Melbourne set to de-thrown Sydney for a higher quality performance space?  Granted we’re not here to critique Utzon’s Opera House, but we are prepared to say that ARM, in collaboration with Arup Acoustics, designed a dynamic and original 1000-seat performance space and 150-seat Salon.  “The fusion of architectural and acoustic design throughout the development of Elisabeth Murdoch Hall has produced a visually and aurally exciting hall,” a designer from Arup explains. “Based on the proportions of the classic shoe-box shaped European concert hall, the geometry has been enhanced to provide greater acoustic intimacy and improved sightlines for the entire audience.”

A dynamic and original 1000-seat performance space

The design for the Melbourne Theater Company begins with the dramatic façade: 3D iridescent steel tubing folds and bends against black aluminum cladding – just as an actor brings performance to life against a dark backdrop. The interior is comprised of the Sumner Theater, a 500-seat hall noticeably without a balcony or mezzanine space, but still allowing exceptional site lines to the stage regardless of where your season tickets land you. The most striking element inside the main theater is the Word Wall – 70 quotes from different plays are illuminated when the stage is dark. The building also houses a full rehearsal hall that can be used as an event space or a smaller performance space, as well as a café and bar at the front of the house.

to ARM architects

seen @ the cool hunter

Way-finding-system in the Eureka Tower Carpark, Melbourne

With miles of concrete and cinder block as their palette, the Melbourne-based emerystudio design team decided to have some fun with graphics for the Eureka Tower parking garage in Melbourne.

The design team painted key words / directions directly on the garage walls and floors.

Inspired by the work of Swiss artist Felice Varini—whose perspective-defying installations look a lot like giant vector art superimposed on buildings or interior architectural spaces—the team designed colorful forms that are both two- and three-dimensional.

Inspired by the work of Swiss artist Felice Varini.

Using a projector technique for positioning, the design team painted key words/directions directly on the garage walls and floors Varini style. From different viewpoints, the supersized letterforms can be perceived as either abstract distortions or directional information. Using an anamorphic approach wherein the images seem distorted until the viewer’s vantage point is perfect, the words ‘In,’ ‘Out,’ ‘Up,’ and ‘Down’ snap into alignment to convey information at key decision-making points along the way. For drivers, the result is more engaging than the typical boring journey through a colorless cement cavern.’ The project won several international design awards.

to emerystudio