Site Overview
site name:
John Medley Building
architect(s):
Roy Grounds of Grounds, Romberg and Boyd, with executive architects John F. D. Scarborough & Partners. (Central Records, [UMA-IT-000062473]
date of completion:
1971
address:
Building 191, Arts South, Grattan Street, Kernot Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010
classification/typology:
Education (EDC)
protection status:
N/A
awards:
N/A
fiche author:
Felicia Larsson and Docomomo Vic.
History of Building
During the 1960s and 70s, the University of Melbourne planned many additions to the Parkville campus. In 1967 the university begun the process of constructing a new building for the Arts Faculty – a building that was originally called Arts South. The initial steps within the process of designing the building were to test different iterations of plans. The two iterations that were best suited for the site were a two six level towers connected via a bridge, Design T, and the other a building with seven levels made up of a rectangular shape with a two-leveled carriage way in the center, Design R. The final decision in August 1967, landed upon Design T, with the two towers connected through a bridge. Two aspects that influenced this decision were that the university believed it to better fit their budget, and also due to the building becoming “a fitting portal for the principal entry” to the university grounds. (Central Records, [UMA-IT-000062471]). The John Medley building was designed to align with the original principal axis of the campus, opening its gate in alignment with the Old Quadrangle and creating a passage from Grattan Street to the core of the campus. (Property and Campus Services, [UMA-ITE-2013005504965]). The project was budgeted to around two million dollars (Central Records, [UMA-IT- 000061977]) and it was reported that the final project cost around $ 1 568 000. (Central Records, [UMA-IT- 000062472])
The University was conscious about constructing the building on one of the last open spaces on campus at that time, with the view expressed that the design of two towers connected via the bridge, while allowing passage under without disturbance, would be less impactful on the existing open space. (Central Records, [UMA-IT-000061976]).
Being built in the postwar era, the motivation for employing advancements in technical approaches was present, including the audio instruction apparatus in the Horwood Language Centre that was housed in the west tower. It was at the time one of the most up to date audio systems for teaching linguistics. The building was designed for the Victorian climate, with expressive elements for thermal and light regulation. (John, Béchervaise, p.5-6)
The University expressed some dissatisfaction with parts of the design after completion in 1971. As evident in correspondence between the architects and the university, there were tensions around the language laboratories, joinery concerns, and some other design deficiencies (Central Records, [UMA-IT-000062473]). In response, changes were made by the executive architects, John F. D. Scarborough architects and partners. (Property and Campus Services, [UMA-ITE-2013005500793])
2
Original brief/purpose
The building’s original purpose was to complement accommodation in the Old Arts building which was deemed too small for the Arts Faculty. (Roberts, John, 1989)
others associated with building
The clients for this building were and are still the University of Melbourne. Engineers for the project construction were W.E. Bassett and Partners (Central Records, [UMA-IT-000061977])
significant alterations with dates
There were alterations in the interior done during the late 1980s, adjusting the plans to allow for more office spaces, with a focus on the east tower. (Property and Campus Services, [UMA-ITE-2013005504965]). Other changes that have been made but in smaller include restoring the terrazzo, tiling work. (Madison Tiling) Other changes have included and updating operational aspects to meet developing thermal standards. (Frenger Systems UK)
current use
The main purpose for the building is still higher education with office spaces throughout.
current condition
The current condition of the building is good. It has been renovated and updated to suit developing standards through time.
Description
general description
The university has a strong mix of buildings from different styles and times creating a well-balanced architecture on its campus. The John Medley building stands as a fine, contextually driven modern building from the postwar era on the Parkville campus. (Béchervaise, 1985. p.10-12). Architecture after World War II was much more diverse than before, with changes to approaches within design. There was a wish to go back to the basics of the architecture but through reinterpretation of modernist means. An example of this is the Neoliberty movement that was as strongest during the 1940s-60s. (Goad, Philip, and Julie Willis. 2012 p.492).
The design architect Roy Grounds was a very well known Australian architect. The John Medley building was completed before the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, 1968. Both buildings show how Grounds was exploring the architectural ideas of Neo-Liberty Modernism as evident in the attention to axial composition with bold geometric masses. (Goad, Philip, and Julie Willis. 2012 p.302)
This Neo-Liberty style is also evident in the striking features of louvres, baffles and wide eaves that also serve to control light penetration and thermal comfort, as well as acting as noise reducers and acoustic regulators. (John, Béchervaise p.26-27)
construction
The structure of the building is of reinforced in-situ concrete, with load bearing brick walls, concrete columns, aluminium on plywood roofing and aluminium framed windows and doors. (Property and Campus Services, [UMA-ITE-2013005504965]). The building features straw-coloured brick with concrete sun hoods.
The interior wall cladding consists of plaster and timber framing. (Central Records, [UMA-IT-000062472]). The floor is terrazzo. (Central Records, [UMA-IT-000062473]). Each tower had a central core that allows for vertical movement through lifts and stairs. (Property and Campus Services, [UMA-ITE-2013005500793].)
context
The campus on which the John Medley stands was originally situated on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. The university was established on this land in 1853 and was centred around the Old Quadrangle that can be seen from the John Medley Building today. (The University of Melbourne Estate Masterplan)
The John Medley is located on University of Melbourne’s Campus Parkville. When it was built, the building stood as an entryway on the southern border of campus, orientated toward the city. After many years of the campus’s evolution it sits closer to the core of campus with multiple buildings stretching into the city beyond the original campus today. The building is sited in between two University parks, South Lawn above the underground carpark and University Square. With the South Lawn and Old Quadrangle both being cited on the National Trust Heritage list. The South Lawn is already listed by Docomomo as well as the Victorian Heritage Register. (National Trust Database; Saniga, Andrew 2023)
Evaluation
The building is of Social Significance:
The John Medley Building holds social significance as a ceremonial entryway to the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. It consolidates the original principal axis of the campus, leading to the Old Quadrangle. It remains a recognised threshold where students, graduates, and families take pictures. It has also served as a place of demonstration and other social engagements.
The building is of Aesthetic Significance:
cultural & aesthetic / The John Medley Building is an excellent expression of the shifting currents in post-war and Neo-Liberty modernist architecture. It was designed by one of Melbourne’s leading modernists, Sir Roy Grounds. The building incorporates climate responsive elements. Beyond the architectural style, the building also symbolises the growth of University of Melbourne during the post-war time and stands as a representation of the investments made for the future. The building contributes to aesthetic diversity on campus and a nuanced architectural expression of the university. The John Medley Buildings form, materials, relationship to the campus and its representation of the modern movement makes it aesthetically significant on campus.
The building is of Historic Significance:
Historic / The John Medley Building holds historic significance, as a physical marker of the university’s historic layers and expansions in the post-war era. As it remains as the symbolically positioned entry point from the time when it was constructed on the original axis on campus. It is clear through the continued use and visibility of the building, with its welcoming gesture that has greeted students throughout time, that it therefore maintains historic significance on campus.
Constructed prior to the 1970s master-plan, the building prefigures Bryce Mortlock’s idea of ‘outdoor rooms’ which were a guiding principle of his master plan.
Documentation
Béchervaise, John. The University of Melbourne: an illustrated perspective. Carlton, Vic. Melbourne University Press, 1985.
Blainey lecture theatre stormed (1984, June 19). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), p. 3. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article127003657
Central Records (The University of Melbourne), Arts South Building- Preliminary Planning (24.3) (1965-1970), [UMA-IT-000061976]. University of Melbourne Archives, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/536728 Accessed 19-05-2025
Central Records (The University of Melbourne), Arts South Building Tender and Contracts (24.3) (1969-1970), [UMA-IT-000061977]. University of Melbourne Archives, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/536729 Accessed 19-05-2025
Central Records (The University of Melbourne), AUC 1967-69 Project- Arts South- Policy (Jan 1972 – John Medley Building) (24.3) (1971-1975), [UMA- IT-000062473]. University of Melbourne Archives. https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/537225 Accessed 19-
05-2025
Central Records (The University of Melbourne), Auc 1967/69 Project Arts South- Policy (June 1971-To-Dec 1971) (24.3) (1971), [UMA-IT-
000062472]. University of Melbourne Archives, accessed 27/05/2025, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/537224 Accessed 19-05-
2025
Central Records (The University of Melbourne), AUC 1967/69 Project Arts South – Policy (Sept 1969 To May 1971) John Medley Building (24.3) (1967- 1971), [UMA-IT-000062471]. University of Melbourne Archives, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/537223 Accessed 19-05-
2025
Goad, Philip, and Julie Willis. The Encyclopedia of Australian Architecture. Port Melbourne, Vic., Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Grace, Robyn. “The Melbourne University Plan to Tear down Six Buildings, Fling Open Its Gates and Let in the City.” The Age, 30 July 2023, www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/the-melbourne-university-plan-to-tear- down-six-buildings-fling-open-its-gates-and-let-in-the-city-20230724- p5dqux.html. Accessed 12 May 2025.
Holleran, Samuel. “In Our Universities, Green Is Not Always Good – Overland Literary Journal.” Overland Literary Journal, Nov. 2023, overland.org.au/2023/11/in-our-universities-green-is-not-always-good/. Accessed 26 May 2025.
“John Medley Building · Constructing Change: The Evolving Parkville Campus.” Unimelb.edu.au, omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/constructing- change/items/show/12. Accessed 26 May 2025.
“John Medley Building Melbourne University – Madison Tiling, Commercial Tiling Contractors.” Madisontiling.com.au, 2015, www.madisontiling.com.au/john-medley-building-melbourne-university/.
Accessed 26 May 2025.
“John Medley Building Project Page | Frenger Systems UK.” Frenger.co.uk, 2024, www.frenger.co.uk/projects/john-medley-building.php. Accessed 26
May 2025.
National Trust Database. “University of Melbourne- Parkville Campus.” Vic.gov.au, 2025, vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/search/nattrust_result_detail/209042. Accessed 26 May 2025.
Property and Campus Services (University of Melbourne), 191 John Medley Building (1987), [UMA-ITE-2013005500793]. University of Melbourne Archives, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/329492 Accessed 12-05-2025
Property and Campus Services (University of Melbourne), John Medley (1997), [UMA-ITE-2013005504965]. University of Melbourne Archives, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/333661 Accessed 12-05-2025
Roberts, John. “Key 96: Arts [Ii] / John Medley Building 1971 / the Australian Centre 1989.” Archives and Special Collections, 20 Dec. 2017, library.unimelb.edu.au/asc/collections/archives/resources/research-guides/keys-to-the-past/keys/key-96.
Roberts, Milly. “Estate Master Plan – the University of Melbourne.” Estate Master Plan, 31 July 2023, www.unimelb.edu.au/master-planning.
Accessed 26 May 2025.
Saniga, Andrew. “South Lawn and Carpark – Docomomo Australia.” Docomomoaustralia.com.au, Oct. 2023, docomomoaustralia.com.au/south- lawn-and-carpark/. Accessed 26 May 2025.