The $105 million Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) on the University of Melbourne campus is being designed by John Wardle Architects. The leading architecture firm won the design competition for the building located in Melbourne’s vibrant arts precinct in Southbank.
The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) will feature a 443-seat cantilevering auditorium, a 200-seat ground-floor studio and several rehearsal studios and spaces for teaching, performing, recording and research.
Architect John Wardle’s design seeks to break the restrictions of acoustic confinement and open up the building to its wider context, encouraging curiosity and interaction between the musician and their community. The MCM aims to balance the singular concentration required of students with the camaraderie of engaging with others. Multiple vantage points will allow for appreciating the inner workings of music education. Both the learning and rehearsal spaces are interspersed with bell-shaped portholes, hinged panels and disguised windows while a large oculus window will allow views into the ground floor orchestral rehearsal space.
A public square will contribute to a community space plan outlined in the Melbourne Arts Precinct Blueprint released by Arts Victoria in February 2014.
The new Melbourne Conservatorium of Music will have a floor area of 6,550 square metres over eight floor levels, and is being designed to meet 5 Star Green Star Design and As-Built v1.1 sustainability requirements. Currently under construction, the building is scheduled to open in 2019.
Okatech Copper facade for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music will be supplied by Architectural Glass & Cladding.
