The National Film and Sound Archive is preparing for renovations to its heritage-listed headquarters in Acton.
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Work valued at up to $65,000 to a theatrette will be carried out over the coming months after a call for tenders was issued yesterday.
Building services manager Craig Revell said the theatrette was established as part of the Institute of Anatomy in 1930 to host a series of medical lectures and had undergone minimal changes since.
''The theatrette has been largely untouched since it was established,'' he said.
''This is a great opportunity to modernise the space while respecting its heritage. The heritage value of the building is paramount.''
Mr Revell said one of the main reasons for the development was to offer a ''proper educational and lecture experience''.
The statement of requirement issued by the National Film and Sound Archives described the proposal as a ''major project'' which would enable video conferencing and webcast production, as well as allowing the space to cater to performances and functions.
The new multipurpose theatre space would also act as a state-of-the-art education facility, which would better accommodate the schools education program that currently serves more than 30,000 students each year.
The upgrade comes after several changes at the National Film and Sound Archive, including the redevelopment of the library, shop and cafe. The upgrade will involve demolition and installation of tiered seating and acoustic barriers, while also preserving existing heritage listed components. All work is due to be completed by June 30, 2013.