Location: Melbourne, Australia.

Architect: NH Architecture & Woods Bagot.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and South Wharf Expansion Project is a development that aims to complete and consolidate the South Wharf precinct. The project consists of three key components: the MCEC Expansion, a multi-deck car park, and a 4-star hotel. The MCEC Expansion includes an additional 9,000m2 of exhibition space, banquet, meeting, and hospitality spaces. The project also includes a new pedestrian link within the car park that provides a public connection from the southern Fisherman’s Bend Precinct through to the Yarra River. The architectural design of the MCEC Expansion is reflective of its context, referencing and integrating the architectural language of the existing Melbourne Exhibition Centre (MEC) and Melbourne Convention Centre (MCC). The serrated northern facade of the Expansion building references the colonnade of the existing MEC and the structural rhythms of MCC’s northern glazed facade. The facade’s serrations offer users multiple unique views created by each glazing bay. The multi-deck car park’s serrated northern façade in perforated gold aluminium cladding continues this architectural expression and provides an integrated and unified identity along Convention Centre Place.

The Hub is an enclosed agora beneath the existing javelin-like MCC soffit, which is designed to offer its activities externally and be a visual gateway to the northern concourse beyond. Within the Hub, a Cafe showcases the “farm to fork” food and beverage offer managed and operated by the MCEC. The ground-level Pedestrian Link between the multi-deck Car Park and Hotel activates the edge condition on both its frontages. An illuminated protruded canopy signals the southern entrance – an architectural gesture and wayfinding solution for the southern end of the precinct. Overall, the MCEC and South Wharf Expansion Project aims to create a cohesive and visually striking precinct that is reflective of its context and provides a range of spaces for exhibitions, meetings, and hospitality. The project also includes upgrades to the public realm, access, and links in the precinct, providing a more accessible and connected space for visitors.

Photo credit: Peter Bennetts.