Old Quadrangle

A symbol of renewal within an evolving institution

A symbol of renewal within an evolving institution

Melbourne University Old Quad was the first university building to commence construction in Australia. Work began in 1854 and the building continued to evolve up until 1981. Largely used as the Law School, and more recently for the Arts Faculty, its three earliest wings accommodated the University’s first professorial residences, teaching spaces and library. It is one of the campus’ most significant buildings, and is the subject of a Lovell Chen master plan (2015) and resultant redevelopment project, designed to re-establish its place at the centre of the University’s civic, cultural and ceremonial life.

Image © Eve Wilson

"Heritage buildings live through time not only by standing, but by serving. The Old Quad at the University of Melbourne bore this truth with grace, persisting through generations of use. Even as it endured architectural violence—most notably, the insertion of additional floors that disrupted its original spatial harmony—it remained inhabited, alive, and purposeful.

Yet when occupation ceased, the silence was far more devastating. For while structural interventions may scar a building, it is vacancy that drains its soul. Adaptation marred by force is still kinder than neglect born of indifference.

The Old Quad reminds us that heritage endures not by mere survival, but through adaptive, purposeful continuity. To restore is not only to protect the past, but to ensure its relevance to the present."

KAI CHEN, DIRECTOR AND FOUNDING PRINCIPAL

Our brief

As the foundation building at the heart of the Parkville campus, the Old Quad has been reimagined and refurbished many times. Central to the brief and the masterplan was the ambition to make the most photographed building on campus one that students and alumni would return to again and again to celebrate events, engage with the university culture and collections and experience the heritage of a building that has remained while much around it has changed physically and socially.

Anticipating a staged delivery, the University asked for an innovative approach - spaces with flexibility and agility suitable for events, ceremony, teaching and governance activities, that represented both the history and the future of the University, while also providing universal access and a contemporary level of comfort.

Details

Client

The University of Melbourne

Date

2015 - 2021

Status

Completed

Original Architect

F. M. White
Reed and Barnes
Gawler and Drummond
Rae Featherstone

Awards

Victorian Architecture Awards 2020 - Sustainable Architecture Award
Melbourne Design Awards 2020 - Wayfinding (Silver)

Location

Melbourne/Naarm

Traditional Owners

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people

Thermal Envelope Installation

Image © Eve Wilson

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A new engagement space

Completed in 2019, the first stage focused on the adaptation and refurbishment of the North Wing (1856), the north end of the East Wing (1857) and the North Annexe (1875), and included reinstatement where possible of the original planning, conservation of the fabric and features, architectural alterations and adaptations to the interiors, and upgrading of building services.

The North Wing and Annexe underwent a number of changes in the 20th century, many of which concealed the 1850s/70s architecture. The North Wing originally housed tiered lecture theatres and a museum, with professorial rooms in the east and west bays. The Council Chamber, examination hall, student hall, a bank, the university bookroom, classrooms, offices and washrooms have all been located in the North Wing and Annexe at various times. In the former library, all the magnificent features were concealed behind false ceilings and walls — now revealed.

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New uses

Following completion of the first phase of works, focus shifted to the adaptation of the south end of the 1857 East Wing, destined for occupation by the Robert Menzies Institute — a prime ministerial library, museum and research centre.

Two original classroom spaces at the south end of the 1857 East Wing, plus the bay window room, which is a 1930s extension were restored and adapted. Restoring the planning of these rooms included the reinstatement of the general pattern of openings, although an original blind doorway to the Cloister was retained. A missing fireplace surround was recreated, based on matching an equivalent in the West Wing and the finishes throughout matched the first phase of works. A lift that had been inserted in the mid floor space of the East Wing, breaking up rooms on both levels, was relocated. The new location on the axis with the Cloister, between the East Wing and the adjacent Council Chamber, providing direct Cloister access to both.

The Council furniture designed by Joseph Reed in Gothic Revival style, and manufactured between 1864 and 1866 by George Thwaites & Son, has been meticulously restored by Thomas Mintsenikos. Works to the original table, thrones, chairs, secretary’s table and footstools included repairs, cleaning, conservation of the joinery and re-upholstering. The furniture is now on view in the East Bay room on the ground floor of the North Wing.

Image © Eve Wilson

Our response

The project combines comprehensive conservation-led, evidence-informed refurbishment with adaptation for new uses that celebrate the history and traditions of the University. No pre-1920s drawings were available, and there were some surprise discoveries. A fragment of the original linoleum was found, and the recreated pattern lives on in the building’s new carpets. All part of tying together Old Quad’s past and its future.

In addition, this project is the first high performance retrofit of a heritage building of this scale and age in this country — a continuation of the Old Quad’s pioneering origins. The design team utilised a Passivhaus PHPP model for adaptive reuse, hygrothermal modelling and thermal bridge analysis to document, detail and deliver the highly insulated and airtight envelope. The PHPP model provides an evidence-based method for achieving a comfortable temperature all year round and reducing energy consumption by 70-90%. The three earliest wings are now a highly efficient, low energy building inside a heritage shell.