Kerstin Thompson Architects

Built on the land of the Gunung-Willam-Balluk people of the Wurundjeri

Late in 2019, before it all changed, I drove out to Broadmeadows on a balmy and clear-skied evening to hear Kerstin Thompson talk at the opening of the first exhibition to be held at the renewed Broadmeadows Town Hall. After insightful words, drinks and a walk around the carefully considered and restored interiors, guests wandered outside and around the “handsome beast,” as the architect had called the building. To some delight, radiant colour from the new glass walls of the extension shone through the dusk sky. There was optimism in the air.

Seven months later, during Melbourne’s long, grim winter of lockdown, we watched the Victorian Architecture Awards online from home, with the Broadmeadows Town Hall taking the top gong – the Victorian Architecture Medal –