moshe safdie: music conservatorium at monash university, australia

‘music conservatorium’ by safdie architects, melbourne, australia image © safdie architects

marking their first project in australia, american firm safdie architect’s ‘music conservatorium’ on monash university’s campus will add a vivacious new center of music and culture extending to the greater melbourne area. the project can be considered in two parts: the reception and lobby space between two mirrored concave precast concrete walls with a large full-height atrium, houses the jazz club, cafe, restaurant, department offices, support spaces, forty individual practice rooms and recording studios. large steel trusses and glass surfaces create an elevated transparent space that invites visitors inside in a semi-public area.

the 500-seat recital hall boasts a more vertical language, composed of curved solid forms that control the levels of light in the performing areas and multipurpose auditorium. the exterior contains a green landscape with an amphitheater connected to monash walk, a large promenade where most pedestrians circulate.

curved shell of the theater image © safdie architects

transparent lobby and reception facing monash walk image © safdie architects

central atrium image © safdie architects

recital room image © safdie architects

jazz club/cafe image © safdie architects

recording studio image © safdie architects

500–seat recital hall image © safdie architects