ARM Architecture

Hamer Hall

HAMER HALL

ARM Architecture

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© John Gollings

ARCHITECTS
ARM Architecture

MANUFACTURERS
ShapeShell, Figueras, Mirotone, Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG

STRUCTURAL
Aurecon

PHOTOGRAPHS
John Gollings, Peter Bennetts

YEAR
2012

LOCATION
Southbank VIC 3006 Australia

CATEGORY
Theater

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings

Text description provided by architect.

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.

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© John Gollings

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. 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.

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© John Gollings

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.

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.

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© 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 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.

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© Peter Bennetts

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.

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© 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. While this was latent in the overall business case, it had never been defined physically or translated into a budget. We did that.

Hamer Hall
© Peter Bennetts
Hamer Hall
© Peter Bennetts

These included improved integration with the Hall’s surroundings, especially St Kilda Rd and River side, 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.

Hamer Hall
© Peter Bennetts
Hamer Hall
© Peter Bennetts

ARM coordinated the design team which included Peter Elliott (Urban Design), TCL (Landscape), Kirkegaard Associatess and Marshall Day (acousticians), Aurecon (Services & Structure) and Shuler Shook (theatre designers).

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
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© John Gollings

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 has been achieved well beyond “business as usual” and the expectations of the client.

Hamer Hall
© John Gollings


Hamer Hall
© John Gollings
Hamer Hall
© John Gollings


Hamer Hall
Elevation
Hamer Hall
Elevation


Hamer Hall
Site Plan
Hamer Hall
Site Plan


Hamer Hall
Detail
Hamer Hall
Detail
Hamer Hall
Detail

ARM Architecture
T +61 3 86131888
ARM Architecture
Level 11/522 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia