Moshe Safdie, director of international firm Safdie Architects, has revealed the first images of his architectural proposal for the new Monash University Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music.

The building will be his first project in the southern hemisphere and will include teaching and practice spaces, an 800 seat concert hall, jazz club and a recording studio.

The exterior will be constructed of reinforced concrete with inlaid stone, contrasting with the concert hall enclosure which is stainless steel with 'concrete ribs'. The arches will provide a reflective surface.

Construction is due to start in 2014 and be completed by mid 2016.

Safdie said:

“The new building will be a fusion of elegant design and high technology infrastructure, and will reflect the philosophy underlying the School of Music, which seeks to inspire its students with an experience of music’s power to transform the lives of performers and audiences alike.”

Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Rae Frances said the new building will allow the University to offer students world-class facilities.

“The School of Music is consistently ranked among the best in Australia but our facilities have not kept pace with our achievements,” Professor Frances said.

“The new building is a fusion of elegant design and high technology infrastructure, and reflects the philosophy underlying the School of Music, which seeks to inspire its students with an experience of music’s power to transform the lives of performers and audiences alike.”

Safdie is a world renowned architect, urban planner and educator with offices in Singapore, Jerusalem and Toronto.

Portrait of Moshe Safdie courtesy of Stephen Kelly

Architecture & Design Team

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