Located on the town’s main street, the heritage-listed Healesville Memorial Hall was built in the 1920’s. The refurbishment complements the old with a new dynamic of transforming functionality, vitality, generosity of space, light and connectedness both internally and externally.
Adjacent to the new entry a beautiful old tree has been kept which, in combination with the entry steps, ramp, canopy and elevated brick sitting-corner, presents a prominent, welcoming, sheltering and human scaled face to the public realm of the street.
Inside a new light-filled foyer flows into the original foyer and down the east side giving access to the rejuvenated Hall. Splayed windows capture views to the surrounding nearby bush and the middle distant Yarra Ranges.
The refurbishment improves the ability to stage local and touring theatre and music productions while retaining a strong focus on Cinema, local community events and functions. Seating for 300 converts to a generous flat floor multi-purpose space when the seating is retracted. An orchestra pit further extends the stage/seating options.
Extensive community consultation was an integral part of the design process with a series of meetings and workshops used to facilitate discussion and decisions about planning, design, materials, colours and heritage considerations.
Healesville 2012
Yarra Ranges Council