2025 Awards Submission - Australian War Memorial

We are incredibly proud to see the final walk-through align with the artist's impression from the initial fly-through released April 2021.

We are honoured to present this project for consideration in the AIB and Master Builders Awards. The Australian War Memorial Main Entrance project is a testament to the skill, dedication, and collaboration of everyone involved. From the outset, the goal was clear: to preserve the Memorial’s heritage while enhancing its functionality for future generations.

Australian War Memorial Opening Video

The concrete deck and the sandstone features of the project reflect a meticulous commitment to both modern engineering and historical preservation.

The concrete for the deck was formed using custom foam moulds, carefully scaled and fabricated from a cloud scan of the prototype structure. Precision was critical, with strict adherence to tolerances ensuring the accuracy of weatherproofing and steel-to-concrete shear connections. To maintain the specific class finish required, the concrete was poured at night, preventing the heat of the day from causing cracks or deformation. This exceptional pour, precise to the millimetre, allowed the seamless integration of steel and glass with the cast-in connections, marking an engineering feat unique to Australia.

At the same time, the project carefully selected and reused sandstone to preserve the Memorial’s historical integrity while incorporating modern sustainable practices. The sandstone’s durability and timeless appeal were essential in maintaining the Memorial’s architectural character. By blending the new with the old, the project not only ensured a harmonious aesthetic but also demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. The thoughtful integration of sandstone reinforced the Memorial’s legacy as a leader in sustainable, heritage-sensitive construction, preserving both its history and its future.

The Parade Ground has been preserved and reshaped into a rectilinear form to improve military formations and event viewing, all while maintaining a strong visual connection to the Stone of Remembrance. The squared design enhances vehicle maneuverability during ceremonies and aligns with Anzac Parade, matching the Memorial’s front facade. The upgrades include new terraced seating, landscape pathways, and improved connections from Anzac Parade to the Memorial forecourt.

To the north, a landscaped bank integrates seamlessly with the sandstone façade of the New Main Entrance, flanking reconstructed sandstone stairs that connect the Parade Ground to the forecourt. These stairs align with the sandstone pillars, the highest point of the Memorial’s front facade.

A key milestone was the successful completion of the Parade Ground in time for the ANZAC Day veterans' service on 25 April 2024. Despite challenges, including heavy rainfall, latent asbestos, and complex in-ground services, Kane delivered the project on schedule, marking the Memorial’s return to its iconic red gravel surface.

A striking architectural and engineering achievement of the project is the Glass Oculus, a 12-tonne glass and steel structure that illuminates the new main entrance. The word ‘oculus,’ Latin for ‘eye,’ is fitting as the structure casts light on 15 engraved words representing the virtues of Australian defence personnel, including loyalty, endurance and devotion. These words also appear on the Memorial’s revered Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Kane collaborated with designers and engineers to refine the oculus’s intricate design using advanced 3D modelling technology. The steel framework, custom-fabricated to millimetre precision, was designed to support the ordering of high-quality glass from Spain well in advance. Upon installation, the steel structure was found to be within a 2mm tolerance, a remarkable engineering and installation achievement by both national and global standards.

The Main Building’s structural modifications included floor lowering, column and masonry wall removals, and the addition of structural support. The central stair was replaced to create an opening through Level 1, connecting a new stair from the New Main Entrance and two new lifts, one within an existing enclosure. Two new spiral staircases were also added, connecting Levels 1 and 2 as part of the New Main Entrance works. Kane was also tasked with preparing Level 1 for future fit-out and gallery installation in Main Works Package 4, creating open space for galleries.

The structural and civil modifications presented significant challenges, particularly with underpinning and propping works, necessary to link the heritage structure with new elements. The team adapted to unexpected hard rock, refining methods for efficiency. Extraction was carefully planned, using rock saws and hydraulic hammers, and sometimes manual labor, to stay on schedule. Underpinning sequences were rigorously reviewed to optimise efficiency and minimize risks.