Melbourne Holocaust Museum redevelopment featuring Buro Maxim chairs
In November 2022, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum unveiled its new build, a testament to resilience and remembrance.
This transformative project by McCorkell Constructions and designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects, aimed to provide a contemplative space that allowed visitors to confront the atrocities of history. The museum’s CEO, Jayne Josem, sees it as an opportunity for visitors to reflect on their responsibilities in today’s world.
Melbourne, home to one of the largest populations of Jewish Holocaust survivors outside of Israel, has a deep connection to the museum’s mission. Established in 1984 by a group of survivors, the Jewish Holocaust Centre initially found its home in a 1920s building in Elsternwick. Over the years, it has grown to house over 1,400 survivor testimonies, 12,000 historical artifacts, and has educated over 700,000 students.
The redevelopment project involved the construction of a new four-storey museum with a basement level. The facility now boasts three primary exhibitions, including a permanent Holocaust museum, a dedicated children’s museum, and a gallery for temporary exhibitions. Additionally, the museum features two auditoriums for lectures, films, and special events, a resource centre, library, enhanced learning areas for students, and a powerful memorial room.
Auditorium spaces and Buro Maxim chairs
The focal point of the museum’s educational initiatives lies in its auditorium spaces, where a total of 340 Buro Maxim chairs are used. These high-density slimline stacking chairs are specifically designed for use in busy conference rooms. A noteworthy feature is their ability to stack 35 high on a trolley, providing practicality and space efficiency. The Buro Maxim chairs enhance the functionality of the auditoriums, offering comfort and convenience for the various events hosted within the museum.
Sources: architectural-review.com, mccorkell.net.au
Photography by John Gollings.
