Project: Former Mechanics Institute Hall, Gisborne

Coleman Architects were engaged to document urgent conservation works required to the former Mechanics Institute Hall in Gisborne and to address several organisational shortcomings of the building.

Built in the late 1880s, the former Mechanics Institute Hall has a significant historical connection with the development of Gisborne and is part of a thriving community precinct but was suffering from structural failure and significant deterioration of the external fabric. Along with structural remediation and conservation works, we removed additions that concealed much of the original fabric, added new storerooms and a service kitchen to improve its functionality, and upgraded the lighting and other services. The former Mechanics Institute Hall is included in the Heritage Overlay of the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme.