Refurbishment work is now complete in the 'refreshment rooms' of Victoria's Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne. The Dining Room, Stranger's Corridor, Member's Bar, Session Café and kitchens have all benefited from practical improvements.

The refreshment rooms — a name that dates from the time of their construction — are located in the building's north-east corner, the construction of which was financed by a 50,000 pounds sterling gift from the Federal Government. The gift marked the Federal Government's move to Canberra in 1927 and was a thank-you for its stay in Melbourne.

Working with structural engineers Beauchamp Hogg Spano, services engineers Connell Wagner and kitchen consultant MTD Group, we undertook a comprehensive upgrade. Work included the installation of a goods lift over three floors for meal delivery to the Dining Room, Corridor and Café; and finishes, services improvements and equipment installation in the kitchens. Finishes and air conditioning have been upgraded in the Dining Room, Corridor and Member's Bar. The last two also have new window treatments and their existing timber panelling has been refinished.   [ photos: Beng Hin Lim ]

We recently completed the preparation of a conservation management plan for St Kilda's landmark 'picture palace', the aptly named Palais Theatre — long a cornerstone of the beachside suburb's entertainment precinct.

For the report, we prepared a physical survey of the building and comprehensively researched its history. It has hosted all manner of theatrical, musical and filmic events. For many years it operated as a picture theatre with live entertainment. It has hosted the Melbourne Film Festival, Australian Ballet and Opera seasons, the musical La Cage aux Folles and countless legendary rock bands such as the Rolling Stones, to name but a few examples.

The plan was commissioned by the City of Port Phillip as part of the process through which they are seeking expressions of interest for the redevelopment of St Kilda's 'triangle site', of which the Palais is an important component.
[ photo: Jane Joyce ]

We are very pleased to announce that our combined reconstruction and new design work on St Kilda Pier's kiosk and café has been recognised with a Heritage Architecture Award 2006, given by the RAIA as part of the Victorian Architecture Awards.

The kiosk was destroyed by an arsonist in 2004. Public consultation led to the decision to reconstruct it. Lovell Chen undertook a meticulous reconstruction but also designed a new restaurant and viewing platform on its seaward side. The judges particularly commended the new contemporary extension, calling it a "highly appropriate new work which sits comfortably alongside the reconstructed fabric".

The happy team showing off the award are (left to right) Stuart Ord (Parks Victoria, client), Howard McCorkell (McCorkell Constructions Pty. Ltd., builder), Anne-Marie Treweeke (Lovell Chen), Nick Mazzarella (Parks Victoria, project manager), Milica Tumbas (Lovell Chen) and Kai Chen (Lovell Chen, project architect).   [ photo: Robyn Riddett ]