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  • Project: The Australian Ballet School Residence

  • Location: Parkville

  • Client: The Australian Ballet School

Project Description

Marilyn Rowe Residence is a delicate addition to one of Parkville’s grand old dames. With necessary care and respect, as well as characterful playfulness, life and energy, the single storey addition is nestled quietly behind the bold brick and terracotta residence and provides shared living spaces for ballet students of various ages. 

Intertwined with the existing house and breathing new life into its timber lined corridors through artful restorative works the addition is distinct and punctuated with voids and splashes of colour that inject warmth and homeliness into a series of flexibly planned, variably programmable spaces.

Largely concealed from the street, the new entry is only apparent where a piece of the façade appears split and set aside, and introduces an exterior that is modest in tone and domestic in nature but activated through the use of pre-formed brick shapes arrayed to evoke the form and movement of dance.

 

“The project entails working within a heritage building and the development of a new purpose built addition to accommodate an initial cohort of 37 students... The project is significant to the future of the Australian Ballet School. The direct involvement of the directors of MGS Architects, the energy and interest shared with project staff has been important for both the client team and ourselves as project managers. The design is contemporary and yet addresses a number of duty of care and spatial needs and will provide a unique and stunning home for a number of creative people.”

David Gundy Director, Project Manager Root Projects

Awards

2016 Think Brick Awards Finalist for Horbury Hunt Commercial Award

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