Submission to the Australian War Memorial

From the outset I identify myself as a strong supporter of this once in a multi-generational opportunity to enhance a building of
outstanding national significance, and its immediate precinct. On the other hand, I recognise that what is being proposed represents
change, and that there will be those who may feel confronted by, and inclined to oppose change, any change, no matter how beneficial
those changes will be to the Australian War Memorial and the broader community.

I applaud the consultation process, the transparency of the plans and the accessibility of this information to the community, locally,
nationally, and internationally.

May I suggest that similar consultation, perhaps even a competition be held to determine the wording for the circle below the oculus in
the new Southern Entrance. My own contribution is two short, but connected sentences: ‘For our tomorrow, they gave their today – may we be worthy of their sacrifice.’ If space is an issue, either of those two sentences alone would also be fitting.

My response in support of the proposed changes will take the form of commentary on, or impressions about the proposed work.

Before that, I regret that I missed the excellent presentations when they were live streamed. I hope that I am still able to pose the following questions:

1. A graphic shown during the video about the new southern entrance ‘suggests’ pedestrian underpasses under Limestone Avenue. Are such underpasses part of the plan? If so, they would provide very helpful access and seamless connection between the AWM precinct and Anzac Parade. Limestone Avenue currently acts as a barrier between the two areas that should be better connected.
2. Not mentioned during the presentations was the time lapse photo record that I understand will be made during the redevelopment work. Will that record be publicly accessible and if so, how may the public view that record?
3. Is there a single table that summarises the expanded internal display, storage and workspace created by the upgrade project?
4. Similarly, while noting the ‘squared-off’ parade ground space, is it possible to get an idea of the useable area of the new parade ground space in comparison to the useable area of the current space? Will the new space impose any limits on what could be previously accommodated by the parade ground?
5. Noting that the project will quarry and use the limestone used in the original structure, is it possible for the project to encompass the restoration of the huge hole cut into the western side of the building during the Gower administration to accommodate the Huey?
6. As good as the current plans are, is their scope within the design of the new Anzac Hall and Bean Building to add modular expansions, should that become necessary at some future date? (The absence of that capacity was certainly one of the shortcomings of the now demolished Anzac Hall.)
7. Three short light and sound shows used to be screened in Anzac Hall (‘Over the Front’, ‘Striking by Night’ and ‘Sydney Under Attack’) – assuming these shows will still be presented in the new structures, what provision will be included in the new arrangements for doing so?

As a general impression, the work of the architects’ design work is inspired, elegantly drawing together many practical and aesthetic elements. Apart from the obvious benefits associated with the equitable access the new arrangements will provide from the car park and to main building, the Roll of Honour level, Poppy’s Café, and to the integrated seating either side of the parade ground, the design work of the bounding wall in particular serves to bring into sharper focus the apex of the Griffin Axis and the dome above the Hall of Memory. The inclusion of the oculus is similarly inspired, continuing the focus on the dome and Hall of Memory, even when inside the main building.

The new southern entrance design provides a far more appropriate entry to the main building and what lies within. Similarly, the location of the bookstore, no longer an apparent afterthought at the end of a long corridor, is a welcome inclusion in the plans

The provision of the extra space is very welcome for all the obvious reasons. That space is needed now, but also offers the opportunity to future proof the facility against foreseeable requirements. I particularly like the more welcoming nature of the publicly accessible part of the upgraded Bean Building, as underlined in the ‘reveal’ in the building’s design. Notwithstanding the significant expansion to its available space, the low profile of the upgraded Bean Building is appropriately modest, complementing, rather than overshadowing the main building, and the Hall of Memory in particular.

The considerable expansion offered by the glazed link and new Anzac Hall provide a welcome opportunity to exhibit artefacts from more recent operations, and the importantly, the potential to do so for future operations should they arise. The lightweight interface that the glazed link provides between the main building and Anzac Hall is respectful of the existing structure while providing additional display space and a seamless transition between the old and new areas. Meanwhile, in its utility the glazed link is reminiscent of the tessellating glass roof which covers the Great Court at the British Museum. That roof has now been in place for over twenty years and is the subject of much praiseworthy commentary on the internet and elsewhere. I expect that similar plaudits will extend to the proposed glazed roof at the Australian War Memorial, and the ‘rising sun’ profile of Anzac Hall’s roof. Finally, the aperture in the new Anzac Hall, along with the oculus in the new southern entrance unify those new designs with the hallowed heritage Hall of Memory dome architecture – truly outstanding architectural achievements.