The following formal submission have been made public
Submitter: Peter JonesNew Southern Entrance
The New South Entrance design is quite clever and sympathetic to the key design features of the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Importantly, the design is sympathetic to the solemnity and significance of the building. It will be an entrance that will impress both Australian and overseas visitors alike.
A key aspect of any extension and modification of the AWM has to be the need to improve the ability of visitors to orientate themselves and move to different sections of the Memorial. As you will be aware many people go to the Memorial to either see just a particular section or take more than one visit to take it all in. I think the proposed entrance will assist in helping people orientate them before they enter the Memorial.
As a general point, this will probably be the last major addition to the AWM. It is therefore important not to scale back ambition. Rather do it properly and do it well. I think this design achieves this objective in a commendable way.
A key aspect of any extension and modification of the AWM has to be the need to improve the ability of visitors to orientate themselves and move to different sections of the Memorial. As you will be aware many people go to the Memorial to either see just a particular section or take more than one visit to take it all in. I think the proposed entrance will assist in helping people orientate them before they enter the Memorial.
As a general point, this will probably be the last major addition to the AWM. It is therefore important not to scale back ambition. Rather do it properly and do it well. I think this design achieves this objective in a commendable way.
Anzac Hall and Glazed Link
Perhaps the most controversial aspects of the new design is the demolition of Anzac Hall and it replacement with a newer and larger building. The proposed building seems to be a much more useable space that will attract more visitors. It has a larger floor space and so more objects can be viewed. I note it usefully brings HMAS Brisbane bridge structure indoors which will improve its access.
As with the work at the Southern Entrance, the new Anzac Hall and Glazed Link will promote the ease with which new visitors can navigate the AWM as a whole. It would appear also that the design will be more flexible as a function space.
Like many bold additions or new buildings, there are criticisms about scale and cost. While value for money is always important, it is important not to strive for mediocrity. Many Australians come long distances to visit AWM for such things as the Last Post ceremonies, to view relatives names on the Honour Roll or to see an exhibition on a conflict they or their family members took part in. It is therefore important that the AWM modernisation is of high quality, architecturally ambitious and well executed. It has to be something that honours the sacrifice of those who have served and be a building that Australians can be proud of. I believe the planned body of work will realise those objectives. It will greatly impress visitors and make their visit to the AWM a memorable one.
As with the work at the Southern Entrance, the new Anzac Hall and Glazed Link will promote the ease with which new visitors can navigate the AWM as a whole. It would appear also that the design will be more flexible as a function space.
Like many bold additions or new buildings, there are criticisms about scale and cost. While value for money is always important, it is important not to strive for mediocrity. Many Australians come long distances to visit AWM for such things as the Last Post ceremonies, to view relatives names on the Honour Roll or to see an exhibition on a conflict they or their family members took part in. It is therefore important that the AWM modernisation is of high quality, architecturally ambitious and well executed. It has to be something that honours the sacrifice of those who have served and be a building that Australians can be proud of. I believe the planned body of work will realise those objectives. It will greatly impress visitors and make their visit to the AWM a memorable one.