Melbourne Recital Centre
The Project
The Melbourne Theatre Company and Melbourne Recital Centre project fills two gaps in Melbourne’s cultural landscape in one spectacular project. The MTC has been dreaming of a home for at least 20 years, since leaving Russell Street Theatre and the Recital Centre provides two auditoria specifically for chamber music, for which a venue has been lacking for many years. These two buildings, similar in feel but with very different architectural concepts, sit side by side on Southbank Boulevard, in the heart of Melbourne’s arts precinct. Ashton Raggatt McDougal designed two signature buildings that are tailored to two clients with quite different operational requirements.
Lighting Design Concept
In establishing a concept for the lighting to the MTC and MRC project, we responded to the architectural form of the building as well as working closely with the architect. The two buildings create a juxtaposition in lighting terms, with the MTC being a building that absorbs light and the MRC being an emitter of light. The MTC building was conceived as a space where light penetrates from outside the building into the core the theatre, the stage, whereas light in the MRC starts its journey on stage and radiates outwards, culminating in a luminous façade which places the foyers of the building on show for all to see. These became the central organising concepts for the lighting design and provided guidance in the realisation of the design.
Design Development
A close working relationship with ARM was vital to the development of the design for the spaces within the MTC and MRC. Complex briefs from both clients required intense co-ordination of lighting with architectural design as well as other services. A number of custom luminaires were developed to meet requirements that were not serviced by the marketplace.
The walls of the MTC theatre allow the space to be different for every show, utilising a colour changing LED system behind custom panels. The Melbourne Theatre Company has taken this system and added a level of theatricality to the auditorium hitherto unseen anywhere in the world.
The lighting to the Recital Hall itself went through a number of iterations, culminating in a solution that was arrived at after the tender process. Working closely with ARM again, we came up with a unique chandelier design that is very closely integrated with the hall. We were involved in every step of the process of conceptual design, development and construction. The chandeliers were fabricated by Big Fish Studios.
Both buildings have foyers designed for lingering in, enjoying a post show drink, discussing the performance and such like. Innovative lighting treatments, with a touch of theatricality, have been applied to each building. These are spaces for people to experience and enjoy the anticipation and satisfaction of great performance.