Lovell Chen

Lovell Chen
Lovell Chen logo outside office
Practice information
Key architects Peter Lovell, Kai Chen
Founded 1981 as Allom Lovell and Associates, 2005 as Lovell Chen
Location Melbourne, Australia

Lovell Chen is an architecture firm and heritage consultancy directed by Peter Lovell and Kai Chen in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1981 as Allom Lovell and Associates, they became Lovell Chen in 2005. They are known for their work on heritage conservation and restoration.

History

Left: Peter Lovell, Right: Kai Chen

Peter Lovell

Peter Lovell graduated Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Building in 1976. Following this he went on to do two years post graduate study focused on research into low cost housing and adaptation and reuse of old buildings – particularly the technical aspect of reuse. Following this he spent 6 months in private practice working for Peter Elliot and then a short piece of work for Guilford Bell. Within 12 months of finishing postgraduate studies he went on to set up his own practice as a specialist in building conservation in Niagara Lane, Melbourne CBD. This office consisted of a collaborative of young practices including Peter Elliot, Gary Boag and John McNabb, all able to support each other in the early days of establishment. This was started in 1979 and ran until 1981. In 1981 he went on to form a partnership with Richard Allom, a Brisbane-based architect to form an architectural practice with offices in Melbourne and Brisbane.[1] The Melbourne office was focused on building conservation works in providing advice on restoration in buildings. The Brisbane office was a mix of architecture and conservation work. The aim for the two offices was to provide services across the eastern seaboard including Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. The practice slotted in at a time where there was great interest in conservation work that arose in the late 70’s early 80’s and grew throughout these years. Commissions specialising in the interior such as finishes, paintwork and decorative work were achieved such as the Windsor Hotel, the Royal Exhibition Building, Parliament House, Princess Theatre, the Melbourne Town Hall and a number of defence projects including the fort at Queenscliff throughout the 80s and early 90s. In specialising in conservation the firm consisted of two parts – a research based part and applied architectural works.

Kai Chen

Kai Chen graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) degree. Prior to Lovell Chen he worked with Ian Robinson in a practice called Robinson Chen in 1981.This practice consisted of a small studio of architects as well as the builders who completed the projects.[2] Over the next 10 years he worked on a number of residential projects that became internationally recognized and collaborated with many different architects and practitioners. Over the course of this time he worked on roughly 40 residential buildings. While undertaking these projects he also taught at University.

Formation

In 1991 Chen and Lovell met when they were collaborating on a project in the Dandenongs. Lovell was the heritage consultant for the project while Chen was the designer. The same year Chen joined Lovell while they were working on major additions to Government House in Canberra and the Governor General's residence. Chen came on board as design leader and architect. Until Chen joined, the practice had been mainly concerned with heritage consultancy and restorative commissions, and limited in the amount of architectural works. The plan was to bring contemporary architecture into a heritage practice and combine conservation and design. Once Chen became a part of the practice they were able to pursue these interface issues and expand the office. From 1991 they worked together and then formed the partnership that is Lovell Chen in 2005.[1]

Notable projects

The following projects were undertaken on notable buildings:[3]

1983-2004 Royal Exhibition Building (Restoration/Reuse)

Royal Exhibition Building

Original Architect: Reed and Barnes, Constructed 1879-80.

This project involved the reroofing and other works such as the stabilization and re-slating the dome and also the extensive render repair and rebuilding at the north facade.

1985- 2011 State Library Of Victoria (Strategic Plan)

Original Architect: Joseph Reed, Constructed 1854 - 1960's.

The aim of this strategic plan is to enable the library to respond to and deliver major cultural services to the public's evolving requirements and also to identify priority actions and opportunities in the usage of library’s building spaces.

1997- 2003 Former Customs House, now Immigration Museum. Melbourne (Restoration)

Former Customs House Melbourne, now Immigration Museum

Original Architect: Peter Kerr, Arthur E. Johnson, John J. Clark, Constructed in 1873-1876.

This project involved the adaptive reuse of spaces for use as a museum and exhibition building. A research centre and restaurant was adapted from lower floors built for storage.

1999- 2003 Young and Jackson Hotel (Restoration)

Young and Jackson Hotel

Original Architect: John Flannagan, Constructed 1853-1922.

This project required the fitting of elements vital to a working pub whilst maintaining the heritage fabric of the building. Changes include additional dining and kitchen areas, bars and a protective cover for the 'Chloe' painting.

2005- 2006 Myer Mural Hall (Restoration)

Original Architect: H.W & F.B Tompkins, Constructed 1925.

As part of a $300m refurbishment programme, Lovell Chen restored the building fabric to closely resemble its original appearance.

2007-2010 Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Building 13 (Restoration)

Original Architect: Evan Smith, Constructed 1926[4]

2011-2014 Circus Oz (Former Collingwood Technical School Reuse)

Originally constructed 1853.[5][6]

Awards

The firm has received many awards:[7]

  • 2014: Western Australian Heritage Award: The Gerry Gauntlett Award : excellence in adaptive reuse for ONE40WILLIAM
  • 2013: AIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: Heritage category : commendation for Ormond College Gables Project
  • 2012: AIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: Public Architecture : alterations and additions for Melbourne University Boatshed Extension
  • 2010: The Planning Minister's Heritage Award in association with Equiset and Elenberg Fraser for Railway Goods Shed North (Goods Shed No 2), Melbourne
  • 2010: Property Council of Australia Award: Innovation & Excellence Award : Heritage & Adaptive Reuse in association with Equiset and Elenberg Fraser for Railway Goods Shed North (Goods Shed No 2), Melbourne
  • 2010: AIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: Residential Architecture : alterations and additions for the Farfor Flats units 1 & 2
  • 2009: Architecture & Design Excellence in the South East Award: Outstanding Building Conservation commendation: the Medical Superintendent's House at the former Point Nepean Quarantine Station
  • 2004: John George Knight Heritage Architecture Award: in association with Ashton Raggatt McDoughall for the Shrine of Remembrance Undercroft Development
  • 2004: RAIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: John George Knight Award : Heritage category for the Beaurepaire Centre pool
  • 2004: RAIA :The Lachlan Macquarie Award:joint winner for the Beaurepaire Centre pool
  • 2002: Indigo Shire Council Award: Preservation & Restoration of Historic Government Buildings commendation for Government House Telegraph Office Sub Treasury and Beechworth Shire Offices and landscaping
  • 2002: RAIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: John George Knight Award: Heritage category for the Royal Exhibition Building
  • RAIA Award: Heritage category : commendation for Harricks Homestead
  • 1999: RAIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: John George Knight Award: in association with Daryl Jackson Pty Ltd for the Immigration Museum & Hellenic Archaeology Museum
  • 1999: RAIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: The Melbourne Prize : commendation: in association with Daryl Jackson Pty Ltd for the Immigration Museum & Hellenic Archaeology Museum
  • 1998: RAIA (WA) Architecture Award: Conservation category : commendation: for Government House refurbishment (Perth)
  • 1997: RAIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: Conservation category : Merit Award: in association with DBI and Peck von Hartel Trethowan for the Regent Theatre
  • 1996: RAIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: Conservation category : commendation for the 1888 School of Graduate Studies building
  • 1996: RAIA (Victoria) Architecture Award: Conservation category : commendation for Melbourne Town Hall main hall and foyers
  • 1995: City of Melbourne Building & Planning Award: Urban Conservation Award for the Royal Exhibition Building interior dome restoration
  • 1995: RAIA (Victoria) Chapter Award: Outstanding Architecture : Conservation category : commendation for the restoration of the Royal Exhibition Building and conservation of the dome
  • 1994: RAIA (Victoria) Chapter Award: Award of Merit for Outstanding Architecture: Conservation category in association with Peddle Thorp & Learmonth for ANZ Bank Project: The Gothic Bank
  • 1994: RAIA Lachlan Macquarie Award for Conservation in association with Peddle Thorp or ANZ Bank Project: The Gothic Bank
  • 1994: RAIA (Victoria) Chapter Award: Outstanding Architecture: Conservation category : commendation for Laurel Lodge
  • 1990: Australian Council of National Trusts Award: Australian Heritage Award: Cultural Conservation & Interpretation category: for 380 Collins Street The Gothic Bank
  • 1990: Australian Council of National Trusts Award: Australian Heritage Award : Architecture category for the Princess Theatre
  • 1990: Dulux Colour Award commendation for the exterior of the Princess Theatre
  • 1990: The Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia (Victoria): Environmental Interior Lighting : high commendation for the Princess Theatre
  • 1989: RAIA (ACT) Conservation Award in association with Daryl Jackson Pty Ltd for the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra
  • 1984: RAIA (Victoria) William Pitt Award to Peter Lovell and Suzanne Forge in association with the Government Building Advisory Council and the Public Works Department of Victoria for the restoration of the dining room, Hotel Windsor, Melbourne
  • 1984: RAIA (Victoria) Award: Merit Award for Outstanding Architecture Restorationin association with Public Works Department of Victoria (Project Architect Chris White) for Queen's Hall restoration, Parliament House, Victoria
  • 1982: RAIA (Victorian) Award: Merit Award for Outstanding Building Restoration in association with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) or the Conservation Policy and restoration of the former Denomination School, Maldon
  • 1982: RAIA (Victoria) Award: Merit Award for Outstanding Building Restoration to Peter Lovell in association with John and Phylis Murphy Architects for the exterior restoration of Collingwood Town Hall
  • 1982: RAIA (Victoria) Award: Merit Award for Outstanding Building Restoration to Peter Lovell and Suzanne Forge in association with the Government Building Advisory Council and the Public Works Department for the restoration and reconstruction of the Grand Dining Room, Windsor Hotel, Melbourne

References

  1. 1 2 The Encyclopedia of Australian Architecture.2012 Edition. Cambridge University Press. p.
  2. ↑ The Encyclopedia of Australian Architecture. 2012 Edition. Cambridge University Press. p.600
  3. ↑ Projects, Lovell Chen. Retrieved 2014.05.09
  4. ↑ Capital Works Program: Emily McPherson Building. RMIT University, retrieved 2014.05.09
  5. ↑ Launch of new national home for Circus Oz. Arts Victoria, retrieved 2014.05.09
  6. ↑ Information. Collingwood Technical College, retrieved 2014.05.09
  7. ↑ Awards, Lovell Chen, Retrieved 2014.05.12
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