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Le Louvre
Le Louvre
South Yarra, Australia
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Other Projects by Ridolfi Architecture
Le Louvre
South Yarra, Australia
Firm
Type
YEAR
2009
SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft
BUDGET
$100K - 500K
This project is an adaptive reuse of a former tramways substation, to a new high fashion boutique, for the famous Melbourne institution Le Louvre. This project required the reconciliation of the significant heritage requirements of the 1927 tramway building with the commercial reality of the client’s brief.
With all aspects of this design a clear delineation is made between old and new. Most strikingly the new first floor office with its clear glass façade is read as an obvious contemporary element without dominating the existing structure.
A substantial glass entry replaces the previous roller door within the central arch. Above this is the spectacular Le Louvre neon sign. This helps create a presence on the street, as the building is setback over 6 metres from the boundary.
Internally the structure has gone through a complete transformation. Substantial mirrors throughout the ground and first floor ensure the space is light filled and has an open welcoming feeling whilst working within the limitations of the existing built fabric. The mirrored theme continues on the feature staircase, which terminates as a stage for fashion shows and customer presentations alike. The floors are timber weatherboards with a unique silver weathered finish to them.
The three levels and the two annex spaces divide the required functions of the building. The ground floor facilitates the main retail space with the required point of sale and storage requirements occurring in the annex space to the west. The first floor allows for private appointments for customers. The new annex space incorporates an office, staff kitchenette and WC. The top floor is a staff only floor and contains the studio for the seamstresses and directors office.
The client for this project was very active in ensuring the architecture reflected exactly the look and ideals of Le Louvre. The Architect’s role in this case was as much as a designer as it was a facilitator of the client’s ideas. This ensured that the end result was fitting with the ideals of adaptive reuse of a heritage building whilst having a look and feel, which the client can take ownership of as representative of Le Louvre. Needless to say the client is delighted with the result.
From an urban design perspective this project will greatly enhance Daly Street and encourage further positive development of this street into a precinct. In 1922 Lillian Wightman established Le Louvre in a refurbished 1855 Victorian Terrace on Collins Street, pronouncing the promenade ‘the Paris end of Collins Street’. In 2010 Georgina Weir, Lillian Wightman’s daughter, will open the relocated Le Louvre in a refurbished 1927 tramways building off Chapel Street, continuing the legacy and reinvigorating the Le Louvre brand. It is quite possible that Le Louvre South Yarra will be as much of a landmark as Le Louvre Collins Street
The building itself reflects both the heritage of the institution and the heritage of the tramways site, whilst expressing and representing Melbourne’s design and fashion culture.
With all aspects of this design a clear delineation is made between old and new. Most strikingly the new first floor office with its clear glass façade is read as an obvious contemporary element without dominating the existing structure.
A substantial glass entry replaces the previous roller door within the central arch. Above this is the spectacular Le Louvre neon sign. This helps create a presence on the street, as the building is setback over 6 metres from the boundary.
Internally the structure has gone through a complete transformation. Substantial mirrors throughout the ground and first floor ensure the space is light filled and has an open welcoming feeling whilst working within the limitations of the existing built fabric. The mirrored theme continues on the feature staircase, which terminates as a stage for fashion shows and customer presentations alike. The floors are timber weatherboards with a unique silver weathered finish to them.
The three levels and the two annex spaces divide the required functions of the building. The ground floor facilitates the main retail space with the required point of sale and storage requirements occurring in the annex space to the west. The first floor allows for private appointments for customers. The new annex space incorporates an office, staff kitchenette and WC. The top floor is a staff only floor and contains the studio for the seamstresses and directors office.
The client for this project was very active in ensuring the architecture reflected exactly the look and ideals of Le Louvre. The Architect’s role in this case was as much as a designer as it was a facilitator of the client’s ideas. This ensured that the end result was fitting with the ideals of adaptive reuse of a heritage building whilst having a look and feel, which the client can take ownership of as representative of Le Louvre. Needless to say the client is delighted with the result.
From an urban design perspective this project will greatly enhance Daly Street and encourage further positive development of this street into a precinct. In 1922 Lillian Wightman established Le Louvre in a refurbished 1855 Victorian Terrace on Collins Street, pronouncing the promenade ‘the Paris end of Collins Street’. In 2010 Georgina Weir, Lillian Wightman’s daughter, will open the relocated Le Louvre in a refurbished 1927 tramways building off Chapel Street, continuing the legacy and reinvigorating the Le Louvre brand. It is quite possible that Le Louvre South Yarra will be as much of a landmark as Le Louvre Collins Street
The building itself reflects both the heritage of the institution and the heritage of the tramways site, whilst expressing and representing Melbourne’s design and fashion culture.
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