Protagonist

By Cumulus

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The protagonist is the result of a 2018 Arts Centre Melbourne design competition which challenged a curated selection of Victorian architecture studios to design a unique and memorable home for the existing ACM forecourt cafe.

The new interactive design features a polished stainless steel base and an adjustable ‘Kaynemaile’ mesh exterior reminiscent of folding theatre curtains. In the morning, the curtain is raised to the desired form (fully open in summer, partially closed for private events) and is a visible, welcoming symbol that it is open from afar. At night, the curtains are lowered and locked to create a secure compound.

The lowered curtain creates a veil that can be used for art projection, marketing and branding of upcoming ACM events, and lighting to activate the precinct at night.

Despite its semi-temporary construction, the protagonist feels at home among the grand buildings of St Kilda Road, with key references in form and palette within the ACM spire and the bronze NGV roof.

Location St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Client Arts Centre Melbourne
Year 2019
StatusComplete

Photography: Sean Fennessy

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Cumulus
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About the
Professional

Cumulus is an award-winning architecture and interior design studio with offices in Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney. The offices operate as one combined studio, providing flexibility in the size and scope of work undertaken and ensuring a cohesive and collaborative approach to all projects.

The studio consists of more than 40 team members, including 17 registered architects with specialities in tourism, residential, commercial, heritage, urban design and interior architecture.

Cumulus also regularly collaborates with a number of external specialist consultants from across Australia for the coordination of a broader range of services from feasibility studies and brand management to contract administration and post-occupancy evaluation.

Cumulus respectfully acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia, their Elders past, present and emerging, who were and are the keepers of their cultural and spiritual knowledge and traditions, and the traditional owners of the land on which we live and work.