Percy Grainger Museum
Location
Wurundjeri Country
Parkville VIC, Australia
Client
University of Melbourne
Significance
State Significance
Completed
1999
Services Provided
Conservation Management Plans, Masterplanning
Awards
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RBA developed a master plan for the museum that explored passive strategies to avoid the installation of high-impact mechanical air conditioning.
Materials conservation advice had indicated that a mechanical air-handling system would have a highly detrimental effect on the fragile artefacts within the museum, including string instruments designed and built by Percy Grainger. We proposed a new subterranean wing to accommodate administration offices and a storage facility, so as to maintain a separation from the sensitive exhibition environment. RBA also prepared a Conservation Management Plan to provide general guidance on managing future changes to the site.
Historically significant for its associations with its founder Percy Grainger, an internationally acclaimed musician and composer, the Grainger Museum is rare as an example of a purpose built autobiographical museum dedicated to the life and works of one person.
It is architecturally significant as an intact 1930’s building exemplifying as eclectic approach drawing on a range of contemporary stylistic and theoretical approaches. Grainger designed the museum itself, in conjunction with architect John Gawler, and curated the original permanent exhibition.
