Hamer Hall Concept Design
New designs open up Hall to the River
The new designs for Hamer Hall open the building up to the river bank and St Kilda Rd. The design is a radical rethink of the 30 year old building that will increase access while maintaining its heritage features.
The design incorporates a second entry to the Hall at the river level. The plan is to demolish the existing terrace and build a new terrace that allows light into the river level, create a new 'civic stair' and a 24-hour lift from the river to St Kilda Road and bring a whole new section of the Yarra bank back to life with a range of entertainment options.
In addition to the external remodelling, the interior of Hamer Hall will be extensively redeveloped. Key elements of the internal redevelopment include:
The auditorium
- Improved acoustics through treatment of stage surround and crystalline acoustic diffusers on upper walls and removal of balcony arms
- New integrated theatre technical zone and new flying system
- New over-stage acoustic reflector
- New balcony front with integrated lighting position
- New, wider seats, maintaining existing distance between rows
- New hybrid displacement air conditioning system
The foyers
- St Kilda Road foyer reconfigured and enlarged to accommodate an expanded box office and cloaking facility
- All escalators demolished and replaced, introducing wider escalators between every level
- About 40% of existing stairs reconfigured
- Reconfigured and redistributed toilets: 80% more women's toilets overall
- Existing foyer bars upgraded
Backstage
- New dedicated performance loading area
- New dedicated food and beverage loading dock
- New dedicated scenery lift from dock to stage level
Work on the $128.5 million Hamer Hall refurbishment is scheduled to begin in July 2010.
For more information, contact Jeremy Vincent, Communications Manager, the Arts Centre on: 03 9281 8347
