The former Hawthorn Town Hall in Boroondara, Melbourne, has undergone a $17.9 million redevelopment, making way for a new Hawthorn Arts Centre.

Designed by Peddle Thorp architects and built by APM Group, the redevelopment involved internal renovation works, and the restoration and enhancement of the building's Second Empire heritage features.

Consisting of a main hall, exhibition galleries, meeting rooms, and art development, rehearsal and office spaces, Borrondara Major Jack Wegman said the facility now has the capacity to host a variety of events, including high calibre concerts or art exhibitions.

“We approached the design and rejuvenation of the Hawthorn town hall…by providing a positive and engaging new centre for the development and display of the performing and visual arts,” said Peddle Thorp design director, Peter Brook.

“It was our intention to create a flexible and manageable building that can transform to suit the demands that are placed upon it.”

In order to achieve this aim, the architects created a series of flexible spaces that maintain the simple and important functions of the existing town hall, while making better use of other existing spaces.

This was done via the creation of a network and hierarchy of ‘internal streets’. These streets can be opened or closed to create secure zones, aiding in the operation of differing spaces within the centre.

Sustainable Built Environments' senior associate Jane Toner said the adaptive reuse of the Hawthorn Town Hall offered the community a chance to preserve this important heritage building, while meeting the modern expectations of the present.

It also presented an opportunity to save valuable resources.

“Our heritage buildings were originally designed to include passive design strategies to some extent,” she said.

“Bypassing the wasteful process of demolishing and reconstructing the building alone sells the environmental benefits of adaptive reuse.”

Planning for the new Arts Centre began in 2009, with construction commencing in April 2012. It was completed in October 2013.

Geraldine Chua

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