GHD has delivered the engineering and building services design for a multi-million dollar restoration of RMIT's Capitol Theatre, located in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. The project has transformed an iconic 1920s building from a cinema into a new, multipurpose cultural and educational hub for the community.
GHD designed the building services and provided services in structural engineering, project management and superintendency for both stages of the project. The Victorian heritage-listed building is now a multi-functional 4K (approximately 4000 pixels) resolution cinema and stage venue.
"It was a special project in that we incorporated 21st century technology into a historic landmark building, reflecting RMIT's creative vision for a new community space," said GHD's Andrew Morrison, project lead.
Capitol Theatre was designed in the 1920s by internationally-renowned American architects Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahoney Griffin, known to Australians for designing the city of Canberra, and responsible for bringing the Prairie School of architecture to Australia.
According to Heritage Council Victoria, the foyer and auditorium are "extraordinary and were highly advanced in concept in the 1920s. The auditorium ceiling design, with its spectacular lighting effects, is of particular importance."
In the 1960s the cinema's closed down due to the rising popularity of wireless radio and television, and narrowly avoided demolition. RMIT University took ownership in 1999 and the building was remodelled and used for teaching purposes before closing again in 2014.
GHD was engaged in 2016 by RMIT to provide project management, superintendency and engineering consultancy for mechanical, electrical, hydraulics, structural and fire engineering from inception to project handover.
"We started with a comprehensive condition assessment which we developed into a preliminary scope of work to help restore the building's former glory," said Andrew. Andrew said the integration of sensitive, heritage-related features of the building with modern safety standards was key to the success.
RMIT's Executive Director of Property Services, Chris Hewison, is proud of the project's successful delivery. "With RMIT's creative vision and GHD's building expertise, we have created a new destination for culture, education and innovation. It's a space that is built for collaboration, creativity and connection, and we're proud that it's safe and accessible for all to enjoy."