C O V E R S T O R Y – B L O C K C O U R T R E S T O R AT I O N
Restoration of a heritage building showcases a modern approach to retail banking
Jarrod Sinclair won the award for Non-Residential Restoration in the BDAV’s 2017 Building Design Awards for his Block Court Restoration project. Step inside Block Court just off Collins Street, Melbourne, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported back in time. With stunning heritage features, Block Court gives a snapshot into Melbourne’s history. Two years ago, however, you would have had a different experience entirely. New tenants Bendigo Bank - were seeking to make a mark with their flagship Victorian branch, and this inner-city location fit the bill. The space had once been part of Block Arcade but had seen many updates over the last 40 years. The most recent was a clean but uninspired commercial multi-tenancy fitout that closed the arcade’s thoroughfare. The bank’s internal design team, led by Jarrod Sinclair, suggested a bold and risky approach to the new fit-out: “We wanted to rejuvenate the space by reverting back to the original intent of the architect, and recreate
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“ Restoring the original intent to an active thoroughfare has created a vibrant hub that respects the well-known location and splendour of a century past. A remarkable transition that is unrecognisable from its previous life, to a functional stately environment. ” MARC BERNSTEIN-HUSSMANN C H A I R , J U D G I N G PA N E L
an active thoroughfare”. The Bank decided to go with the unknown and peel back the layers of time. They chose to find out what, if anything, could be salvaged from the original design. And they hoped to reopen the Arcade walkway to the public for the first time in decades. Unsure of the outcome, they undertook to demolish the existing fit-out. The risk paid off, with the revelation of stunning heritage features that had been concealed for the better part of half a century.
The original terrazzo ramp flooring was uncovered and restored, and the ceilings that had been lowered were returned to their original height and grandeur. The original signage for the Arcade was discovered under the lowered ceiling and once again directs visitors through the Court. Brass fixtures and fittings were discovered in the basement storage and reinstated in the passageway. Continued page 9.....
C over S tory – B lock C ourt R estoration
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