Australia’s newest icon emulates Melbourne

Revealing the design concept for Australia’s newest icon, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre says its new convention centre will emulate its city namesake, with the new centre as part of a A$1.1 billion project between the Victorian Government and Plenary Group, revitalising the last crucial section of the Yarra River’s edge, linking South Bank to Docklands.  

In addition to housing what will be Australia’s largest combined convention and exhibition facility, the project includes a Hilton hotel, a new Maritime Museum, a lifestyle retail precinct and 60,000 m2 of shopping – opening for business in 2009.

Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre CEO Leigh Harry said the convention centre will be an important architectural landmark for Melbourne, and will emulate what the city stands for, adding, “Not only will it be visually striking, but it will leave those who enter the space feeling like they have experienced Melbourne, from its maritime history, to its art and culture and sporting ethos.”

Plenary Group’s architects on the convention centre project, Nik Karalis from Woods Bagot, and Hamish Lyon from NH Architecture, say they’ve done this in a variety of ways using wall motifs, Australian timber and making the plenary hall feel like a ‘real’ theatre experience.

And it doesn’t end there with even the majority of the food and wine served at conferences to be sourced from local specialised food producers and vineyards.

Hamish Lyon says the locality also offers a unique ‘Melbourne’ experience, adding, “Most convention centres are like being in a black box, but in the new Melbourne convention centre, you can stand in front of an 18 metre glass façade looking out to the Yarra River and feel like you could touch the city – you’re that close to the city centre.”

Nik Karalis says another key feature of the design is the flexibility of the plenary hall, which will transform from full plenary, to grand theatre, to intimate theatres, to small conference, to cabaret, or to flat floor banquet, adding, “Put simply, the range of options for event organisers is unparalleled, with the design is also particularly unique, designed as the ‘spirit’ of the building and appearing to glow to those looking in through the glass façade.”

“Once inside any of its smaller configurations, you would never know it could possibly accommodate 5,000 people, with every theatre an experience in itself and every service has been considered from the side walls to the ceiling.”

Its fan shape design means all delegates will have an unobstructed view, no matter what the convention mode, something no other centre in the world can do.

He says the area around the plenary hall has also been carefully designed, being an open, uncluttered space and oozes simplicity and when standing inside, you can see all aspects of the building, the stairs and meeting areas.”

Hamish Lyon says the outside has not been overlooked either as there is no back side to the building, it will be equally attractive regardless which side of the building you are on.

“It’s an uncomplicated, stunning building which will be the centrepiece of this new development for Melburnians and visitors alike.”

Special AIME report by The Mole