VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE

100 ST KILDA ROAD SOUTHBANK, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE SOHE 2008

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE - History

    The location of an Arts Centre along St Kilda Road was first proposed in 1943 but the site was not officially proclaimed until 1957. In 1959 Grounds, Romberg and Boyd were appointed as the architects of the ambitious project. In awarding the commission, emphasis was placed on Grounds' thirty years of experience and he subsequently became solely responsible for the project. He devoted much of his time, from 1959 until his death in 1981, to its design and construction.

    Although funded primarily by the Victorian State Government, the project also had a high level of public engagement. The National Gallery and Cultural Centre Appeal raised £600,000 in 1960 and represents the extent to which Victorians offered their support to the concept of a cultural centre which would serve the entire community. Responsibility for the project lay with the Building Committee which was established in 1956 and comprised a number of representative members from the community, local councils, regional Victoria, the Victorian Government and the National Gallery of Victoria. These included Kenneth Myer, who was chairman from 1965 to 1989, Professor Joseph Burke and later, Professor Margaret Manion from the Fine Arts Department at Melbourne University, Councillor Michael Winneke and Sir Ian Potter. For twenty five years this committee was a consistent force in the completion of the complex. It became the Victorian Arts Centre Trust in 1980, with actor and film director, George Fairfax, as its first General Manager, a position he held until 1989. Originally appointed as a technical officer, and Chief Executive Officer in 1972, Fairfax played an influential role in the development of the Arts Centre.

    Construction of stage one of the project, the art gallery, commenced in 1962. The rectangular building was constructed of bluestone with a triangular art school to the west completed in 1970. The area to the north, between the newly constructed gallery and the Snowden Gardens had been allocated to the theatre and concert halls which were to be located under a circular spire with covered access to the gallery. The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) opened as the first stage of the Victorian Arts Centre in 1968, and attention then turned to the completion of the remainder of the complex. This included a concert hall and theatres originally conceived by Roy Grounds as one building under a spire, linked to the gallery via a covered porch.

    Work began on the theatre site in 1973, with excavation work not completed until 1978, two years later than expected. Work on the more stable concert hall site began in 1976. A high level of technical accomplishment was required to address the difficulties of the site, including innovative engineering solutions in relation to the substructure, or 'bathtub' of the buildings and particularly for the Theatres Building where the steel piling was protected from corrosion by a cathodic system of a type and scale previously only used in engineering structures such as wharves and pipelines. As work began on the substructures, the plans of the buildings and their interiors were developed. Plans for the auditoria components grew and the State government was persuaded to annex land all the way to the Yarra River. The design for the State Theatre was altered to accommodate 2,000 patrons and concerns over the implications of structural works associated with underground proposals, particularly after the collapse of the West Gate Bridge in 1970, forced Grounds to consider alternatives to his original design. The Theatres Building was modified and extended above the level of St Kilda Road as a bush-hammered concrete building, and the spire, lifted to house the flytower, became an enormous latticed space frame. The Concert Hall (now Hamer Hall), also originally intended to be primarily underground, became a massive, sandstone coloured precast concrete panelled cylinder.

    In 1980 Academy Award-winning expatriate set and costume designer, John Truscott, was employed to decorate the interiors, and his theatrical connections added another dimension to the project. His work on the interiors was constrained only by the requirement to leave elements already constructed, such as Ground's faceted cave-like interior of the Concert Hall and his steel mesh draped ceiling in the State Theatre. Truscott embellished these elements, applying a painted finish to imitate striated rock to the Concert Hall interior and adding perforated brass cups to the steel mesh ceiling. Generally, the interiors of the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall are a combination of the form and layout designed by Roy Grounds, overlaid with the decorative designs of John Truscott. Instead of continuing with Grounds' earth tones and restrained materials and finishes palette, Truscott took his inspiration from the underground world of precious metals and stones. The result is rich, theatrical and colourful interiors which are in strong contrast to the austerity of the exteriors.

    Truscott's interiors are highly considered and every aspect was custom designed and made for the place - from decorative painted finishes, to furniture, lamps, planters and rubbish bins. Most of the artworks were commissioned during the 1970s and 1980s from Australia's most well-known twentieth century artists including Arthur Boyd, Roger Kemp, Sidney Nolan, John Olsen, David Rankin, Jeffrey Smart and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri for the Theatres Building and Asher Bilu and Donald Laycock for Hamer Hall. The size and shape of many were specified to ensure the overall visual proportions of the spaces were maintained.

    The original estimates for the project included £100,000 for special architectural finishes, murals, sculpture, or other works of art of a permanent nature. Grounds, the Building Committee and selected members of Melbourne's artistic community were involved in the commissioning, selecting and placement of artworks for both the interior and exterior of the complex. In 1972 Mrs Diana Gibson made a significant donation in memory of her grandfather, Sir William Angliss. This established the William Angliss Art Fund, overseen by the William Angliss Art Committee (later the Works of Art Advisory Committee) which was used to purchase works of art for the Arts Centre. Roy Grounds 'indicated a number of spaces where large works of art could be displayed'. The first two works purchased from the Fund were Inge King's Forward Surge, and Clement Meadmore's Dervish which were both specifically commissioned for the Arts Centre site. In 1980, the third piece, Carl Milles' Hand of God (since relocated to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl), was donated by Sir Ian and Lady Potter and accepted by the Victorian Arts Centre Trust. Internally, some works, such as Hugh Oliveiro's Mural are integral parts of the fabric of the building, while paintings by Arthur Boyd, John Olsen Sidney Nolan, and other eminent Australian artists were commissioned or purchased for particular spaces.

    The Concert Hall opened in November 1982, while substantial work remained to be completed on the Theatres site. The rest of the Arts Centre was opened progressively in 1984, with the Theatres building officially opened in October that year. This signified the completion of one of the largest public works projects in Victorian history, which had taken twenty five years to complete.

    Roy Grounds

    After leaving school, Roy Grounds joined his brother in the practice of Blackett and Forster. He attended the Melbourne University Architectural Atelier in 1927-28 and took night classes at Brighton Technical School, developing an interest in the Bauhaus and architectural modernism. In his late twenties, Grounds worked in Britain and Europe and then the United States of America. On his return to Melbourne in 1932, he established a partnership with Geoffrey Mewton, a former Blackett and Forster colleague and they became known as the leading Australian exponents of modernism in house design. From 1951-53, Grounds was a senior lecturer in the University of Melbourne Faculty of Architecture. He retained his private practice, styling himself as both a modernist and traditionalist and became well known for the use of geometric forms in his designs. In 1953Groundsformed a partnership with his university colleagues Robin Boyd and Frederick Romberg. Over the next eight years the firm designed some of the leading modern buildings in Australia. They provided plans for Melbourne's new arts precinct (the Victorian Arts Centre) in 1961, but by 1962 Grounds had established his own design team and left the partnership. Grounds continued to design other projects but the Arts Centre consumed most of his time until his death in 1981.

    John Truscott

    John Truscott's career in the theatre began with his first design commission for A Midsummer Night's Dream for the National Theatre Movement at the age of eighteen. In 1957, he began working for the Melbourne Little Theatre (later St Martin's Theatre Company) where he designed almost eighty productions in six years. His work for the J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd production of Camelot (1963) led to an invitation to design the Hollywood film version of Camelot, for which he received two Academy Awards. He was also nominated for Best Art Direction for the feature film Paint Your Wagon (1969). Truscott returned to Australia in 1978 and began designing the interiors of the Melbourne Concert Hall (now Hamer Hall) in 1980. On completion of the Theatres building which officially opened on 29 October 1984, Truscott returned to Los Angeles. In 1988 he returned to Australia as creative consultant to Brisbane's World Expo. At the time of his death in 1993 Truscott was the government appointed artist-in-residence at Arts Centre Melbourne.

    Key references

    Allom Lovell and Associates (1995) Victorian Arts Centre Conservation Management Plan

    Lovell Chen (2013) Theatres Building Arts Centre Melbourne Conservation Management Plan

    Arts Centre Melbourne documents:

    . Foundation Art Collection Inventory

    . Arts Centre Melbourne Self-Guided Tour booklet

    . https://performingartscollection.files.wordpress.com

    Plaque Citation

    VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE - Plaque Citation

    Work began on this concert hall, theatre and spire complex in 1973. Designed by Roy Grounds, with interiors by John Truscott, the opening in 1982-84 signified the completion of one of Victoria's largest public works projects.

    Permit Exemptions

    VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

    Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.38 of the Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act).

     

    Under s.38 of the Heritage Act 2017 the Executive Director may include in his recommendation categories of works or activities which may be carried out in relation to the place or object without the need for a permit under Part 5 of the Act. The Executive Director must not make a recommendation for any categories of works or activities if he considers that the works or activities may harm the cultural heritage significance of the place or object. The following permit exemptions are not considered to cause harm to the cultural heritage significance of the place.

     

    General Condition 1

    All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.

     

    General Condition 2

    Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. 

     
    General Condition 3

    All works should ideally be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.

     

    General Condition 4

    Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

     

    General Condition 5

    Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.

     

    Specific Permit Exemptions

    The following works do not require a permit provided they do not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.

    
    

    Outdoor areas

    • Non-structural alterations, repairs and maintenance to the carparks.
    • Repair and maintenance work to City Road below the Arts Centre Lawn. 
    • Subsurface works involving the installation, removal or replacement of watering systems or services.
    • Routine repair and maintenance of existing hard landscaping including paving and paths where fabric, design, size, form and method of fixing is repaired or replaced like for like.
    • Replacement or removal of light fittings, including pole fittings. (Note this does not apply to any specially made fittings or suites of replicated fittings installed as part of the original design of the Arts Centre).
    • Removal or replacement of external directional signage provided the size, location and material remains the same.
    • Maintenance, repairs and cleaning to external seating.
    • All maintenance and repair works to service vents located in the gardens.
    • All maintenance and repair works to emergency fire exit stairs located in the gardens.
    • The process of gardening including mulching, removal of dead plants and replacement with matching species, pruning, disease and weed control, and lawn mowing.
    • The removal or pruning of dead or dangerous trees to maintain safety and for the management of the trees. The Executive Director must be notified within seven days of commencement works
    • Vegetation protection and management of possums and vermin. 

    Building exteriors

    • Minor patching, repair and maintenance which replaces like with like without large-scale removal of or damage to the existing fabric or the large-scale introduction of new materials. Repairs must maximise protection and retention of fabric and include the conservation of existing details or elements. Any new materials used for repair must not exacerbate the decay of existing fabric due to chemical incompatibility, obscure existing fabric or limit access to existing fabric for future maintenance.
    • Maintenance, repair and replacement of existing services such as plumbing, electrical cabling, surveillance systems, pipes or fire services which does not involve changes in location or scale. 
    • Removal of extraneous exposed items such as pipe work, ducting, wiring, antennae and aerials, and making good.
    • Repainting of painted surfaces in the same colour, type and quality of finish.
    • All lighting or works to the existing lighting scheme of the Arts Centre spire and Hamer Hall.
    • Erection and removal of temporary structures and infrastructure, including lighting, public address systems and the like in support of events and performances.

    Interiors
    Public areas (auditoria, lobbies, function rooms, foyers, stairs, passageways, bathrooms, restaurants, cafes and kitchens)

    • Repair and maintenance of existing lifts and escalators including mechanisms and associated elements.
    • Repair and maintenance to bathrooms and kitchens where fabric, design, size, form and method of fixing is repaired and/or replaced like for like (excluding leather and associated trim at the entrances to the toilets in Hamer Hall). 
    • All non-structural and internal works to the Vic Cafe excluding any works which impact or obscure the ceiling. 
    •  Installation, removal or replacement of devices for the hanging of paintings and other wall mounted artworks in existing locations.
    •  Replacement of carpets and/or flexible floor coverings like with like, provided that a representative sample of the original is recorded and retained.
    •  Maintenance, repair and replacement of non-original lighting fixtures, tracks and the like. 
    • Maintenance and repair of original lighting fixtures, tracks and the like, including replacement of bulbs to original lighting, as long as the light quality remains the same. 
    •  Removal and replacement of information, directional and advertising signage within existing signage and display cases. 
    • The removal and replacement of temporary banners or signage in existing locations.
    • All works within display cases.
    • All non-structural works in the exhibition space (the Australian Music Vault) behind the St Kilda Road entrance foyer in the Theatres Building.

    Back of house areas (offices, dressing rooms and associated areas, set construction and storage areas, wings and back stage areas, flytowers, loading dock and associated areas)

    • Removal or installation of non-original shelving and built-in cupboards in back of house areas if no structural work is required.
    • Installation, removal or replacement of window dressings.
    • Installation, removal or replacement of carpets and/or flexible floor coverings.
    • Repainting of painted surfaces in the same colour, type and quality of finish.
    • The replacement of escalator and lift mechanisms, motors, cars and any associated elements.
    • Installation, removal or replacement of existing lighting. 
    • Repair, replacement and installation of equipment within the stage areas, fly towers, wings and backstage areas as required.
    • Alterations within the orchestra pits.
    • Temporary installation and removal of all structures and equipment required to stage a performance.
    • Works that facilitate DDA compliance in toilets, back of house areas and areas of no-significance providing the works do not harm the significance of the place

    Plant Equipment and Services

    • Installation, removal or replacement of plant within existing plant areas.
    • Installation, removal or replacement of mechanical systems, electrical systems and equipment, switchboards, communications, hydraulics and fire services.
    • The installation of light switches and GPOs. Cover plates to have the same finish as the original.
    •  Installation, removal or replacement (in the same location) of electric clocks, public address/EWIS systems, CCTV, detectors, alarms, emergency lights, exit signs and the like.

    Venue operations

    • Any works associated with short term events including:

    o The introduction of temporary structures provided that structures will be erected within and used for a maximum period of three months  after which they are removed. 

    o The introduction of temporary security fencing, scaffolding, hoardings or surveillance systems to prevent unauthorised access or secure public safety for a maximum period of three months after which they will be removed.

    
    

    • The use of temporary micro tenancies such as food trucks, market stalls and the like.
    • Temporary works for operational purposes, for example, the establishment of temporary wayfinding/directional signage.
    • The display, installation and removal of temporary promotional elements such as banners, billboards, flagpoles in existing locations.

    Safety and security

    • Works or activities, including emergency stabilisation, necessary to secure safety where a structure or part of a structure has been irreparably damaged or destabilised and poses a safety risk to its users or the public. It is acknowledged that in some instances additional damage to significant fabric may be required to stabilise and make safe. In these instances every attempt must be made to conserve and retain as much significant fabric as possible. The Executive Director, Heritage Victoria, must be notified within seven days of the commencement of these works or activities. 
    • Installation of bollards and other hostile vehicle mitigation devices along the extremities of the site.

    Objects integral to the place

    There are a number of fixed and non-fixed objects which are integral to the Victorian Arts Centre. They include:

    1. Objects in the Foundation Art collection which were commissioned or acquired for the place prior to the opening in 1984 (refer to Attachment 1, Inventory 1)

    2. Furniture designed by John Truscott as an integral part of the interiors. (refer to Attachment 1, Inventory 2)

    3. Elements in storage which were part of the place at the time of opening in 1984. (refer to Attachment 1, Inventory 3)

    4. Archive (refer to Attachment 1, Inventory 4)
    
    

    Specific permit exemptions for objects in the Foundation Art Collection (Inventory 1)

     All of the following exemptions must be in accordance with the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries and/or in accordance with the accepted collection management standards, policies and procedures of Arts Centre Melbourne.

     

    • Management of artworks (including removal and relocation, display, conservation, and temporary loans of eighteen months or less).
    • All storage and exhibition locations, methods and materials must be designed to prevent light damage to the colours, damage from handling and other deterioration.
    • Artworks must be removed or protected in the event of any building or maintenance works occurring nearby. 
    • The conservation, research or analysis of registered heritage objects does not require approval by the Executive Director pursuant to the Heritage Act 2017, where the Arts Centre employs qualified conservators.
    •  The installation, relocation or removal of items of the art collection that are not included in the inventory of Registered Objects Integral to the Registered Place.
    • The sculpture Forward Surge should remain on its current, original site within the Arts Centre Lawn. Full public access to the sculpture should be maintained. Forward Surge (VHR H2378) is included in the VHR as a Registered Place. Refer to Forward Surge (VHR H2378) for full permit policy and permit exemptions. Permit applications or exemptions approved under the registration for Forward Surge (VHR H2378) are permit exempt under this registration. 
    • The sculpture Dervish is not in its original location and can be re-located, preferably returned to its original position on the middle terrace of Hamer Hall. Dervish should be regularly maintained to stop corrosion of the metal beyond the intended finish of the weathered steel. It should be cleaned in a way which maintains the overall patination. Spot cleaning which results in an uneven appearance should be avoided. 

    Specific permit exemptions for furniture (Inventory 2)

    • Re-upholstering and repair of original furniture like with like, provided that a representative sample of the original upholstery (where it survives) is recorded and retained.
    • General cleaning and maintenance.
    • Temporary relocation within the Arts Centre of furniture for events or functions. 

    Permit Exemption Policy

    VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE - Permit Exemption Policy

    Preamble
    
    

    The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place. 
    
    

    The extent of registration of the Victorian Arts Centre in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 1500 including the land, all buildings (including the exteriors and interiors), trees, hard landscape elements and gardens, as well as all fixtures attached to the building at the time of registration including light fittings, built-in furniture, decorative elements and wall, ceiling and floor finishes. It also includes objects integral to the place including paintings, sculptures, furniture and architectural drawings and models. Under the Heritage Act 2017 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future. 
    
    

    If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted. 
    
    

    Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.38 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act). It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted.
    
    

    Conservation management plans
    
    

    The Victorian Arts Centre Conservation Management Plan was prepared by Allom Lovell and Associates in 1995, followed by the Theatres Building Arts Centre Melbourne Conservation Management Plan (Draft), in 2013 by Lovell Chen. It is recommended that the CMPs are regularly updated to reflect any changes to the place. It is also recommended that, like the Theatres Building, a separate CMP is prepared for Hamer Hall.
    
    

    Aboriginal cultural heritage
    
    

    If works are proposed which have the potential to disturb or have an impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage it is necessary to contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain any requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. 
    
    

    Other approvals
    
    

    Please be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.
    
    

    Archaeology
    
    

    Any works that may affect historical archaeological features, deposits or artefacts at the place is likely to require a permit, permit exemption or consent. Advice should be sought from the Archaeology Team at Heritage Victoria.
    
    

    Interiors
    
    

    The building interiors of the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall are of considerable significance, being largely original and should be considered in their entirety. Generally, the interiors are a combination of the form and layout designed by Roy Grounds, overlaid with the decorative designs of John Truscott. Instead of continuing with Grounds' earth tones and restrained materials and finishes palette, Truscott took his inspiration from the underground world of precious metals and stones. The interiors are achieved through a combination of elements, each of which is highly considered and dependant on the others, including joinery details, floor, walls and ceiling finishes, loose and fixed furniture, signage, lighting and artwork. The removal or alteration of one element will have an impact on the others. The subterranean atmosphere was also a design consideration and changes to light levels will have an adverse impact on the design intent.
    
    

    Cultural heritage significance
    
    

    Overview of significance
    
    

    The cultural heritage significance of the Victorian Arts Centre lies in the design and continued use of the place as Victoria's pre-eminent arts centre. This is demonstrated by the design of the entire complex by Roy Grounds, the highly intact interiors by John Truscott, the landscaping, and the Foundation Art Collection which includes exterior sculptures and interior paintings specifically commissioned or acquired for the project. 
    
    
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• Public contributions

  Notes See all notes

  Victorian Arts Centre

  24/04/15

  Hamer hall remains to be the ugliest building in Melbourne.

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    Victorian Arts Centre

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    Victorian Arts Centre