22 Feb 2010
On Friday 12 February 2010 the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas was officially opened by Victorian Premier John Brumby.
The $13.6M redevelopment is the latest completed section of an extensive State Library refurbishment program, spanning 15 years to date. Arup has been closely involved from the beginning, initially enlisted by the State Government and later employed directly by the Library as structural engineer.
The official opening of the Wheeler Centre also marks the completion of a State Government initiative aimed at raising the profile of literature in Victoria. Other State literary initiatives include attaining international recognition for Melbourne as the world’s second UNESCO City of Literature - which was achieved in August 2008; increasing the national and international profile of Melbourne Writers' Festival; and expanding the Premier’s Literary Awards.
Named in honour of Tony and Maureen Wheeler - Victorian founders of the Lonely Planet travel guide - the Wheeler Centre features shared meeting rooms and workshop spaces, hot desks for short-term use by writers, and a 200 capacity performance space. It hosts an ongoing programme of talks, lectures, readings and debates, and unites a raft of literary organisations such as the Victorian Writers Centre, Melbourne Writers Festival, Emerging Writers Festival, Express Media and the Australian Poetry Centre.
Preserving and refurbishing
A distinct challenge the design team faced was allowing for the necessary improvements to be made, whilst preserving the historical value of the building’s exterior - in particular the balustrades. This required the structural engineers to trawl through historical drawings and conduct onsite investigations to reveal various changes that had been made to the building over time.
Specialist structural advice was provided on the balustrades, the installation of building services, new plant equipment, a truck dock and truck canopy surrounding the stairs, all with care to preserve the building’s historical exterior.
The Wheeler Centre is located in the Library’s south wing, previously named Barry Hall in memory of Sir Redmond Barry, the first chairman of the library’s board. The next section of the library to be refurbished is Queens Hall, for which Arup has completed a feasibility study. Options currently being considered for the redeveloped hall include use as a banquet centre or a multipurpose library space.
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