Client: St Michael’s Grammar School
Location: St Kilda, VIC
Scope: Modular toilet block and change rooms supporting the redevelopment of St George’s Church into a Performing Arts Centre
Key Features: Heritage-sensitive design, public amenities, performer change rooms, architecturally integrated façade, minimal disruption installation
Timeline: Delivered to support the opening of the St George’s Performing Arts Centre in 2023
80m2
Total Area
12 weeks
Factory build
7 days
Time on site
Project Overview
Harwyn delivered a custom modular amenities building for St Michael’s Grammar School as part of the redevelopment of the heritage-listed St George’s Church into the St George’s Performing Arts Centre.
The new building provides toilets and change room facilities for students, performers and visitors, supporting the operation of the new performing arts venue while responding sensitively to the heritage character of the site.
The Challenge
As part of the planning approval for the redevelopment of St George’s Church, St Michael’s Grammar School was required to provide new amenities to support the future use of the building as a performing arts venue.
The new facility needed to accommodate both student performers using the venue for music, drama and dance, as well as audience members attending concerts and performances.
The site presented a significant design challenge. Located alongside a heritage-listed church and within a highly sensitive setting, the building needed to feel entirely at home within the precinct. Any new structure had to satisfy functional requirements while complementing the surrounding architecture and preserving the character of the site.
The Solution
Harwyn designed and delivered a custom modular toilet block and change room facility tailored specifically to the requirements of the project.
The building was carefully designed to sit comfortably within the heritage context, using a contemporary architectural language that complements rather than competes with the historic church. The scale, form and material selection were developed to ensure the new building feels appropriate within the setting and contributes positively to the broader precinct.
The completed facility provides accessible public amenities for visitors, as well as dedicated change room and support spaces for students participating in performances and productions within the St George’s Performing Arts Centre.
By using a modular approach, Harwyn was able to deliver the building efficiently and with minimal disruption to the surrounding campus during the broader redevelopment works.
The Outcome
The completed amenities building formed an important part of the successful transformation of St George’s Church into a state-of-the-art performing arts centre.
The new facilities support the day-to-day operation of the venue, improve the experience for both performers and audiences, and satisfy the planning requirements associated with the redevelopment.
Most importantly, the building demonstrates how thoughtfully designed modular architecture can respond sensitively to heritage settings while delivering practical, contemporary facilities.
