Melbourne University Boat Club is the oldest rowing club in Australia. Its members have regularly represented the country in Olympic competition — from the Stockholm Games of 1912 right up to the present day.
The Club is based in a row of historic boatsheds on the Yarra’s southern bank, opposite Federation Square. The two-storey weatherboard building, designed by A.S. Eggleston, is last in the row. It opened in 1908, on the 50th anniversary of the Club’s founding, and is now heritage listed.
Jump forward a century, and there’s little room for the ever-growing fleet. An adjacent plot became available and the University commissioned Lovell Chen to design an extension. The Club was looking for flexible internal spaces and, of course, more storage. The riverside location and parkland setting were particular design challenges
The University of Melbourne
2011 - 2012
Completed
A.S. Eggleston
Australian Architecture Award 2012 - Public Architecture - Alterations and Additions
Melbourne/Naarm
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people
Lingering as a shadow to the ‘bookend’ structure, the extension echoes the heritage building’s silhouette—not in pursuit of symmetry, but to engage in a nuanced conversation with its presence. While its shape reflects the original, it departs in texture—less a solid mass, more a lattice-like veil: dark and porous.
KAI CHEN, DIRECTOR AND FOUNDING PRINCIPAL
To avoid dominating the existing building or interfering with its relationship to the river, the extension is set back as far as the small plot would allow, and its height has been carefully considered. The structure is set half a metre into the ground — as deep as the water table would let us go. This enabled the inclusion of an extra floor. From outside, the three-storey steel-frame extension appears to be two storey, just like its neighbour — an effect that is helped by the timber trellis that forms part of the cladding.Despite appearances, the extension is free-standing, with no structural connection to the heritage building. Both are timber clad, with matching gable pitches and corrugated iron roofs. The new roof closely overhangs the old but doesn’t touch it. Inside, an internal open area connects the inside with the outside, creating a verandah-like effect.
Multi-functional spaces occupy the two upper levels. Disabled access is via a lift housed in the tower at the rear. The ground floor is for boat storage. To make the most of the necessarily-limited space, we designed a ‘compacting’ boat racking system that efficiently stores rowing shells.
Kai Chen
Founding Principal & Director
Anne-Marie Treweeke
Director
Milica Tumbas
Principal
A showcase for the heritage and history of the University of Melbourne
Providing additional student accommodation in the attic spaces at Ormond College - home away from home under the eaves
Sustainability led conservation and activation of signficant heritage building at Domain Campus
A comprehensive programme of renewal and new-build focused on sustainable outcomes
Will and Olivia were scoping chimneys at Melbourne's former Records Office, a landmark built in 1900-04 to protect Victoria's vital records, as part of ongoing conservation works
RHSV staff took us through the Former Army Medical Corps Drill Hall
Congratulations to Senior Associate Libby Blamey – winner of best peer-reviewed article by Professional Historians Australia!
Lovell Chen has been providing conservation and heritage services to the mansion since the 1970s and we are proud to continue our association with the site
Zoe, Will, and Max are undertaking inspections at the Parkville Campus as part of the University's annual audit program to guide the planning for building conservation, maintenance and capital works
Celebrating ANU’s 80th anniversary and the reopening of University House, Lovell Chen proudly delivered conservation-led design and heritage services, preserving its character for future generations.
Kate introduced PIA VIC Emerging Planners to the opportunities available when choosing to integrate heritage conservation with contemporary city development.
Lovell Chen is leading roof and façade restoration works on historic Scots' Church Melbourne, repairing timber structures, stonework, and slate roofing to preserve the 1874 landmark
Audrey and Kendra were privileged to attend the ceremony led by Elder Paul House, Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian of the Canberra region
hecklers, recounts and a very close contest
Suzanne will discuss best practice in the adaptation and reuse of historic buildings at the former Collingwood Tech complex – also home to our tailor-made facility for Circus Oz
Associate Principal Stuart Hanafin spoke at the Trades Hall opening, highlighting the restoration of century‑concealed honour boards and celebrating the building’s enduring union heritage.
How do you put modern services into a building that has handmade nails holding the floors together?
As lead author of QHeritage: Designing with Heritage Places, Director Adam Mornement attended Brisbane Open House's launch event.
We've enjoyed another annual Lovell Chen Trivia Night - this time led by quizmaster debutant Angus.
