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Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Location Kings Domain, Alexandra Avenue,, SOUTH YARRA VIC 3141 - Property No B5107 File Number B5107 Level National

[1/1] B5107 Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Statement of Significance

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, designed by Barry Patten of Yuncken Freeman Architects and his assistant Angel Dimitroff in association with engineer Bill Irwin and completed in 1959, is architecturally, historically and socially significant at the state level as a unique "tensile" structure and as a major public cultural venue.
Architecturally, the Bowl is unique as the only large-scale cable-roofed structure and the only large-scale acoustic shell structure in Australia. It is an excellent example of post war Modernist preoccupations in Victoria with the direct relationship of form to function and of daring experiments with structure, employing advances in construction technology and surfacing materials. It was one of the earliest significant cable-roofed structures internationally.
This significance was recognised throuh receiving an award from the American Institute of Architects and by being described by noted critic Robin Boyd as one of the 'climatic buildings' of the period.
Both the architect Barry Patten, and the engineer Bill Irwin were significant post-war architects, involved in many of the most notable buildings from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Socially and historically, it is significant for its strong associations with the Myer family, the most prominent retailers in Victoria. It was a gift to the people of Melbourne from the family in memory of the founder, Sidney Myer and his son Kenneth was involved in the planning and construction.
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl was the first major purpose built outdoor performance venue to be built in Melbourne and is also important as the venue for a host of significant cultural events since it opened in 1959, especially the very popular annual event 'Carols by Candlelight'.
Classified: 22/02/1999