Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

Building on its reputation in the recital hall space A.G. Coombs played a key role in the commissioning of the new Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM), contributing to enriching the study of music and the arts in Australia.

Central to the University of Melbourne’s $200 million Southbank campus redevelopment, the state-of-the-art Ian Potter Southbank Centre is the new home to the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) – Australia’s oldest and most prestigious music institution.

Designed by award-winning John Wardle Architects and constructed by Lendlease, the building features a 400-seat cantilevered auditorium, 200-seat studio and numerous world-class performance, teaching, recording and rehearsal spaces. It is also home to one of the largest oculus windows in the world.

Continuing its long association with the University of Melbourne, A.G. Coombs Advisory was engaged as the ICA on the project in October 2017.

Providing building services commissioning advice to the project team, A.G. Coombs Advisory worked closely alongside building services engineers Aurecon and acoustics consultant Marshall Day.

With every building element of the Conservatorium affecting the acoustic performance and resonance of these spaces, the tuning and commissioning of the low air velocity mechanical services design was critical. Air distribution, mechanical isolation and fire mode were all considered during this process.

“The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is an important addition to the University of Melbourne’s Southbank campus,” said James Dalglish, Project Engineer (ICA) at A.G. Coombs Advisory.