Melbourne Grammar School
LOTE & Drama Centre
Designed by Peter Elliott Architects, the refurbishment of the LOTE and Drama Centre in the Luxton Building involves stripping out the first floor of the two-storey building and demolishing a concrete stairway which is replaced by a steel structure with a glazed canopy.
Interior work includes the fit-out of six classrooms, drama room, staff amenities and a fully-fitted kitchen. Historical exposed roof trusses will be restored.
A raised timber floor over the existing flooring in the drama room has impact mounts to cushion the effects of physical activities and provide acoustic treatment.
Renovation of the Domain Road facade includes installation of aluminium windows, making good timber-framed windows and upgrading bluestone walls and the slate roof.
The building has been designed with numerous ESD elements including a new air-conditioning and heating system, powered by solar thermal chimneys installed on the roof, to minimise energy consumption. The services upgrade includes new toilets, switchboards, lighting and modifications to the sewer and stormwater drainage system.
Because of restricted access and limited site space, considerable planning was required to ensure disruption to daily routine on the fully operational campus is minimal and contract timelines are adhered to.