Woods Bagot Projects
Adaptive Reuse

On Show

An Exhibition for Human Performance and Knowledge

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center Expansion

Civic and Events

AU

This facility demonstrates the typology’s best: inviting global conventions and exhibitions while actively connecting with its city and showcasing local culture. Holding its own as public architecture, the building captures the city’s image as a centre for international commerce, conferencing and public entertainment. With the idea of “great architecture as urban landscaping,” the expansion achieves both urban design and building design by knitting together the project with its surroundings into a masterplan that improves local access and amenity.

 

Project details

Supported by an efficient and flexible architectural layout, the multifaceted project encompasses a range of meeting and banquet rooms—connected to the central foyer via escalators and a grand staircase—as well as a new 331-key hotel and multilevel carpark.

The centrepiece of the expansion portion of this project is the exhibition hall. This central area is supported by a network of floor pits on a six-by-nine-meter grid while mirroring the spatial dimensions of adjoining facilities. The hall can be further subdivided to create a multi-functional event space, accessed through a new concourse. Linked to both the existing exhibition centre concourse and the main plenary foyer, this hub will act as a communal area for visitors.

A new pedestrian link within the carpark provides a public connection from the southern Fisherman’s Bend Precinct to the Yarra River—part of an overall upgrade to the public realm that improves general connectivity within the precinct.

Location
Melbourne, Australia
Client
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Size
66,000 sqm
Collaborator
NH Architecture
Sustainability
6 Star Green Star
Awards

Interior Design Excellence Awards

  • Institutional winner
  • Highly commended, sustainable project

Australian Institute of Architects Awards

  • National Award for Public Architecture
  • Victorian Architecture Medal
  • William Wardell Award for Public Architecture
  • Sustainable Architecture Award
  • Steel Architecture Award
  • Melbourne Prize

Australian Construction Achievement Award (ACAA)

Interior Design Awards Australia

  • Best of State, Commercial Design
  • Public Design

Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA)

  • National Environmental Excellence Award
  • Victorian Environmental Excellence Award

Australian Property Institute

  • President’s Award

Australian Property Institute Excellence in Property Awards Investa Environmental Development Award

BPN Sustainability Award

Overall Winner

Banksia Award for Built Environment

IMEX Green Supplier Awards

  • Gold Award
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
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