[Fountainhead]

Any architects? Pics of the new centre? It better be an archi-marvel!

I think the architects are COX Sanderson Ness. The render in todays AFR was fairly standard convention centre architecture, so don't hold your breath...from what I remember it is glassy and curved, with an overhanging moderninst COX style roof overlooking the Yarra

 

[Guest]

billy stop your bitching, you sound like a woman

as for the $1 billion figure, that will be reached with the $175 million taken to extend Jeff's Shed and another $100 million to redevelop the existing convention centre. the highrise elements are a minimum $200 million. $370 million for the new hall and $43 million for infrastructure

all of the above are part of the precinct development according to the AFR.

Mate I just dont like the way Doyle is constantly putting the State down to try and score some dubious poltical pionts .
He would be better to keep his mouth shut and maybe sometimes come up with something positive.Nothing was ever achieved by being negative.

 

[A-brain]

Since when were politicians any f'n use ??? I agree it's ridiculous the automatic 'I must slander anything you say or do just because I'm in opposition'.

Bracksy said it would cost taxpayers $350m + $400m of potential private sector investement - so Doyle says 'Oh the government changed it's mind from $400m to $800m in one day' ... bolllocks!!

Anyway.. the render in the Feral-Pun wasn't bad. It included what looked like a 100m+ Hotel Tower in the mix ..

 

[Blabbyboy]

i saw the render in the AFR too - i hope it's just an artist's concept, becos it was bluddy boring...we need something of the calibre of the ACCA or the Kennett era "blades". i can't think of another city that quite made such an architectural identity out of a feature like the blade. even LA and other cities try to have "gateways" that don't have any impact - but over here in humble melbourne, we make bold statements about who we are!!!

 

[Fountainhead]

i saw the render in the AFR too - i hope it's just an artist's concept, becos it was bluddy boring...we need something of the calibre of the ACCA or the Kennett era "blades". i can't think of another city that quite made such an architectural identity out of a feature like the blade. even LA and other cities try to have "gateways" that don't have any impact - but over here in humble melbourne, we make bold statements about who we are!!!

I have since found out that the render in the AFR is just a masterplanning concept. The final design will be chosen through a consortium tender bid process (architect+builder+financier teams)....similar process to Spencer St Station. The preferred design will be chosen next year.

 

[Aussie Steve]

Can anyone scan the pic in the AFR & post it so that we can all see??

 

[OSJ]

The final design will be chosen through a consortium tender bid process (architect+builder+financier teams)....similar process to Spencer St Station. The preferred design will be chosen next year.

I'm not too keen on this type of precurement. I think it works good for standard government projects, but for something this important it limits the designs to only larger recognised names, and also cancels out real innovation as the banks and builders oversee the architecture.

I think a better approach would be to have a 2 stage process which involved an open international design competition. From that, a shortlist of say 5 designs would be selected. The second stage would be as per spencer street, to ensure buildability, financially security etc. That way an unbuildable design wouldn't attract the financial backing, then wouldn't of course win the second stage, and thus the government wouldn't have egg on the face and a cost blowout.

Federation Square for example would never have occurred as it is because LAB had never built anything, yet it functioned well with them teaming up with Bates Smart. What people tend to forget is that the stuff ups happened on the government/project management side, but the architecture/engineering side worked highly successfully for such a complex project. Since Bracks has been in there hasn't been a design competition for a large civic project. Kennett had us on the right track in this respect with the Museum and Fed Sq.

 

[Fountainhead]

I'm not too keen on this type of precurement. I think it works good for standard government projects, but for something this important it limits the designs to only larger recognised names, and also cancels out real innovation as the banks and builders oversee the architecture.

I think a better approach would be to have a 2 stage process which involved an open international design competition. From that, a shortlist of say 5 designs would be selected. The second stage would be as per spencer street, to ensure buildability, financially security etc. That way an unbuildable design wouldn't attract the financial backing, then wouldn't of course win the second stage, and thus the government wouldn't have egg on the face and a cost blowout.

Federation Square for example would never have occurred as it is because LAB had never built anything, yet it functioned well with them teaming up with Bates Smart. What people tend to forget is that the stuff ups happened on the government/project management side, but the architecture/engineering side worked highly successfully for such a complex project. Since Bracks has been in there hasn't been a design competition for a large civic project. Kennett had us on the right track in this respect with the Museum and Fed Sq.

I fully agree and would love to see that happen here. They are not fast-tracking the process however. The new centre opens in 2008. Given a construction period of say 2 years, that still leaves about a year to get a design chosen. I briefly read in a press release that a two stage process is involved, and you are right in that is emerging as the preferred basis for most major public buildings (Brisbanes' millenium arts projects, etc). However, I think it will be more a first stage of open submissions from consortium teams, with second round of shortlisted teams developing schemes. Not quite an open design process as it means architects have to team with established contractors (and possibly financiers), which generally precludes smaller innovative firms such as what LAB were 7 years ago. Also might limit the international side of things.

True, the process does limit ideas to larger established design practices (I happen to work for one), but that does not mean a bad outcome. Some pre-qualified "established" practices may form relationships with more "innovative" newcomers to gain an edge...anything could still happen.

 

[Blabbyboy]

I agree on those points too, Fountainhead & OSJ. And it's certainly a relief that the masterplanning concept is only a concept!

 

[silvermb]

a fairly basic concept design for the complex

i spotted what different design on tv tonight - similar to the Beijing Olympic Stadium, the main difference being the metal lattice-work covers the glass plenary hall rather than a stadium, a promising design and a real chance to create a genuine landmark, don't stuff it up!

 

[Aussie Steve]

That pic above shows the new complex on the car park behind the sheds along the banks of the Yarra not on the old Mazda site!

 

[Blabbyboy]

They should get the architect who did the Age printing facility near Tullamarine - that's got convention centre written all over it (even though it's one of the schmickest industrial buildings anywhere!)

 

[plotstyle]

They should get the architect who did the Age printing facility near Tullamarine - that's got convention centre written all over it (even though it's one of the schmickest industrial buildings anywhere!)

i think they should get mememememememe :banana:

 

[The Collector]

They should get the architect who did the Age printing facility near Tullamarine - that's got convention centre written all over it (even though it's one of the schmickest industrial buildings anywhere!)

The Age Print Centre
Winner of the 2002 Victorian Architecture Award for best commercial building.
Architects: Ken Sowerby (Trevi, Italy) and Hassell (Melbourne)

I agree with you here Blabbyboy and if not Hassell, it should be ARM for
something really cutting edge! :yes:

______________________________________________________________
I collect, therefore I am.

 

[Adamonline]

Hmmm ... Another bridge for the Yarra. Let's see, between:

- Princess Bridge
- The 1984 Sesquicentenary Foot Bridge
- Sandridge Bridge
- Queens Bridge
- Kings Bridge
- Spencer Street Bridge
- Charles Grimes Bridge

I reckon that Melbourne can easily afford to build a river under all of it's bridges. At least Melburnians can only complain of being so spoiled for choice. I must admit that regardless of whether they build another bridge over the few remaining exposed remnants of the Yarra that I would like to see the government adn MCC make a final end of the Sandridge Bridge. Last time that I checked, Sandridge was at the same stage of completion of its redevelopment as the Athens Olympic Stadium.

 

[Grollo]

How much will the new Convention Centre cost?

Construction of the new facility is estimated to cost $367 million. The ultimate cost to the State will depend on the outcome of the tender process, the scope of services to be provided by the private sector, and the proceeds attributable to the development of other sites within the precinct, which will be undertaken as part of the Convention Centre Redevelopment.

What sort of other buildings/development will be part of this? Hotels?Restaurants?

The Convention Centre will be the catalyst for around $800m in redevelopment of the surrounding precinct for uses such as a hotel, restaurants, retail outlets and residential development. A footbridge link to the Northbank and the realisation of alternative uses for the existing Convention Centre will also be part of the overall redevelopment. A master plan will be developed for the precinct in consultation with the private sector, the City of Melbourne and the Minister for Planning.

What will happen to the existing Convention Centre?

The existing Convention Centre will remain open at least until the new Centre commences operations in 2008. Subsequently, there are a number of options for use of the site, including the operation of a smaller complementary facility or alternative uses which are currently being explored with other stakeholders.

Please, please demolish this blight on the Yarra:

Is the Exhibition Centre to be expanded as part of the Redevelopment?

The Project approved by Government is Stage 1 of a masterplan. Stage 2 involves the potential extension of the Exhibition Centre. The site designated for this extension is to be quarantined from development and is proposed to be used for carparking (this can be seen in the schematics for Stage 1).

Timeline:

Late 2004: Expressions of interest
Mid 2005: Tender documentation released to short-listed bidders
Late 2005: Winning bid announced
Early 2006: construction commences
2008: construction completed

Will the new Convention Centre look like the design shown in the schematics?

No. The schematics illustrate a conceptual design for the new Convention Centre. The State will require that the design meets aesthetic requirements appropriate to the prominent position of the site.

Lucky it's only a schematic because it looks bloody awful, but you get the idea:

I hope DCM get the job so they can intergrate the design with Jeff's shed (which this design doesn't do very well)

A slightly different concept with three towers

Map of the area:

 

[pixaus]

very ordinary designs, second sketch is ok. I say move polly woodside to the turning basin next to the aquarium, that way they can utilise the area better and build right up to the water where polly woodside was, maybe with a few cafes looking towards the city on the edge

 

[tayser]

the first concept looks like an indoor Ice Hockey stadium you'd find in Canada:

GM Place in Vancouver

overall, that 2nd concept would be preferable - more towers to give YE some friends, dunno bout keeping those old warehouses - the boardwalk along there's pretty crappy.

thanks for the info grollo!

I think it's safe to say that this is probably what's going to drive development westward and connect Docklands to the "old City". I'd be willing to bet that this most certainly sets the precedent for massive development & concentration of between King and Spencer Street over the next 10 years. Lay low whilst this boom finishes its construction cycle, and the next won't be too far around the corner!

Bring it on :banana:

 

[Aussie Steve]

Why does it need to be so close to the river, Set it way back closer to the freeway and leave some open space between the riverside sheds and the new building.

 

[Grollo]

Why does it need to be so close to the river, Set it way back closer to the freeway and leave some open space between the riverside sheds and the new building.

It has to be that close to the river to leave room for stage 2 which is the expansion of the Exhibition Centre. If they built it further back then there would be no room for the Exhibition Centre to expand.