Melbourne, VIC AUS

Client: Shrine of Remembrance Trustees
Completion: 2003
Construction Value: $7M
Awards: RAIA (National) - Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design, RAIA (Vic Chapter) - Victorian Architecture Medal, John George Knight Award for Heritage Architecture, William Wardell Award for Institutional Architecture - Melbourne Prize

“The Visitors Centre is the best value community project I have seen, a stunning example of governments, business and the community coming together.”

Former Premier Steve Bracks, State Government of Victoria

The Shrine of Remembrance is Melbourne’s most visible and poignant war memorial. Stage 1 provides a new $7m Visitors Centre and Galleries of Remembrance beneath the grass mound on which the Shrine stands.

The Shrine of Remembrance Visitors Centre is quite different to all other projects. From the outset, we decided that if we were to attempt anything brave, then it would have to be something very clever too. If we were to attempt anything courageous, then it would have to be camouflaged by a sparkling humility. If we were to attempt anything spectacular, then it would need to be the spectacle of new generations learning the longing for peace. The new facility includes an entry courtyard to the east and a garden courtyard the west. It has improved public access to the Shrine and provided reception, orientation and education facilities, allowing the Shrine to embrace a new educational role in the community.

The Visitors Centre was opened by Federal Treasurer Peter Costello and Victorian State Premier Steve Bracks on Sunday 17th August 2003, within the client’s time and budget parameters. It won the Melbourne Prize, the John George Knight Heritage Award, the William Wardell Institutional Award and the Victorian Architectural Medal for best project in the 2004 Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards.