arete Australia was engaged under a Design and Construct contract to deliver the University of Melbourne’s Ian Potter Museum of Art Education Centre. The project involved transforming a historically significant structure into a contemporary, high-performance education and exhibition facility.
Working closely with Wood Marsh, arete undertook extensive structural demolition, poured a new suspended slab and installed a striking mirrored steel entry feature known as the Entry Blade. Internally, the works included the construction of a state-of-the-art seminar room, a new plant platform and a reimagined museum layout designed to support flexible learning and public engagement.
A new lift core was built using Dincel panels to streamline construction without compromising on quality. Given the building’s age and limited documentation, the project required continuous investigation, adaptive design responses and strong collaboration across all disciplines.
Specialist testing and consultation ensured the conservation zones met tight air-sealing standards, allowing the museum to meet international conditions for artwork loans. Smart planning, shift work and out-of-hours activity ensured site access was maintained across the live campus environment.
This fitout reflects arete’s commitment to delivering technically complex, high-quality projects that blend innovation with respect for heritage. The result is a world-class facility that supports education, research and cultural engagement within a revitalised historic building.
