Clarendon Terrace, East Melbourne

The Solution

Steel anchor plate under the Clarendon Terrace facade

Steel rods embedded in internal walls

Steel anchor plates on the external walls

The structural problem was tackled first. A network of structural ties was inserted into the fabric of the walls to arrest the movement and to maintain the structural integrity of the building after restoration. Steel rods were threaded through the walls and anchored by steel plates on the external walls, as shown above.

Simultaneously, several designs for restoration were considered.

Staircase to gallery

Upper split staircase to gallery

Gallery showing clerestory roof and structural tie rods

The plan accepted features a Grand Gallery with a broad, sweeping staircase and a new clerestory roof. The structural ties can be seen as exposed rods running from side to side across the clerestory roof at lighting level.

Column detail

Clarendon Terrace exterior

Dame Pattie Menzies at Clarendon Terrace

The administrative needs of the Foundation were met by the creation of offices and service areas on the ground floor and a committee room upstairs. A seminar room was also created on the upper story with a capacity for seating 60 persons theatre style.