Good Shepherd Chapel

Originally constructed in 1871 the Chapel was, and still is, the cultural and spiritual centre for the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at the Abbotsford Convent, located within the inner city suburb of Abbotsford in Melbourne.

Robert Simeoni Architects was engaged to restore the building and explore the possibility of creating new uses and spaces for redundant areas.

In addition to traditional worship facilities, flexible spaces were provided for use by lay people and the public.

An interpretive centre and a variety of meeting spaces and amenities, including an intimate space in the crypt, were incorporated into this restoration project.

Restoration of the existing building was undertaken with care to retain as much of the existing fabric as possible.

New works were treated intentionally as interventions, a contemporary architectural layer, sitting lightly within and subordinate to the existing fabric.

Importantly, wherever possible these interventions are reversible.

This restoration of the existing Chapel and the new interventions honour the history of the Good Shepherd Sisters and provide a multifunctional facility for their continued work and presence within the community.

Project Details

Project Size – 1,500 m²
Site Area – 1,500 m²
Completion Date – 2012
Building Levels – 3

Project Details

Architecture

Robert Simeoni Architects

Robert Simeoni Architects was established in 1996 and has developed with a reputation for carefully considered design, detail and construction. The practice has a reputation for producing high quality architecture across a variety of typologies including residential, religious, institutional, public and community buildings.

www.robertsimeoniarchitects.com

Photography

Trevor Mein

Trevor arrived at a career in photography following a decade of study and work in various design related fields. Having spent his youth in rural Victoria, Australia, he studied fashion design, before transferring to architecture at RMIT University in Melbourne.

It was the imagery and allure of the fashion world which first piqued his interest in photography. His fascination with the medium was fostered during his time at RMIT University, where he augmented his studies with photographic work for motor journals, as well as training with advertising photographers.

These insights into the world of photography awakened a passion which he felt compelled to pursue full time once he earned his degree in architecture.

www.meinphoto.com