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Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio Accessibility Information
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Contact Information
Address: 15 Dowling Place, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051, AUSTRALIA
Email: admin@mess.foundation
Phone: +61 3 9329 7177
Opening Hours:
1pm – 5pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
6pm – 10pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Bookings to use the Studio are essential, and can be made via our Booking page.
We welcome visits and tours by individuals and groups on Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays between 1pm – 5pm and weekends by appointment. Please contact us if you’d like to arrange a visit.
If you require accessibility information that is not included in this document or have a question or request please contact MESS Studio Manager, Lauren Squire, on lauren@mess.foundation or on +61 3 9329 7177 (Wednesdays-Fridays).
Studio Overview
This section of this document contains information about the MESS Studio, it explains the entrance, interior and facilities within the Studio.
Main studio entry point
MESS is located within Meat Market, however, access to MESS is via a laneway, Dowling Place (off Wreckyn Street). The laneway is surfaced with bitumen and has no incline, although it is not even in all areas.
For security purposes our front door remains closed, to enter the Studio, please ring the doorbell located at the front door, or phone the studio on +61 3 9329 7177 and a staff member will greet you at the door.
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Image Description: A photograph of Dowling Place laneway showing a bitumen surface that is slightly uneven in some areas. This photo is taken from the front door at MESS, looking out onto the laneway towards Wreckyn Street. Image ends.
The MESS studio is located on the ground level and there are no stairs upon entry or within the studio. Dimensions for the main entryway measures 92cm in width.
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Image Description: A photograph of the main entrance to the MESS studio, looking at the front door which is open.
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Image Description: A photograph of the floor at the front door to the MESS studio. The entryway surface is a combination of bitumen and concrete that is slightly uneven in places. There is a narrow drain with a metal drain cover that is level with the concrete. The floor inside the studio is concrete covered with thin, tightly woven carpet. Image ends.
Main Studio Area
The main studio is flat and level with a concrete floor. Half of the studio floor is covered in thin, tightly woven carpet, and the other half is smooth, unpolished concrete.
There are synthesisers and machines that are placed on tables and shelves located throughout the space. Some tables are empty workspaces where we can relocate synthesisers to be used at different heights.
We have a combination of stationary tables that are 92cm and 73cm in height. We also have small fully adjustable tables that can be relocated to different areas of the studio. We also have a number of adjustable keyboard stands that can be relocated to different areas of the studio. Synthesisers and the adjustable tables and keyboard stands can be relocated for wheelchair access.
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Image Description: A photograph of various table and keyboard stand options and heights located within the studio.
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Image Description: Picture showing tables measuring 73cm in heigh and 180cm in length. Image ends.
Workshop Area
There is small incline when accessing the back area of the studio which is commonly used for workshops and classes. This area also contains a kitchen and the workbench where our technician works. The door to the toilets is also in this area. The double door to access the workshop area measures 81cm wide when half open and 131cm wide when fully opened.
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Image description: A photo of the internal double doors that lead from the main studio into the workshop area. The door is half open at 81cm width.
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Image description: A photo of the floor at the internal double doors to the workshop area. The photo shows the small incline on the unpolished concrete floor from the main studio area to the workshop area.
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Image description: A photo of internal doors fully open at 131cm wide. Image ends.
Toilets
There are gender neutral toilets located at the rear of the Workshop Area. Please note, these toilets are not wheelchair accessible and do not contain any rails or mobility equipment. The doorway from the workshop area to the hallway where the toilets are located is 82cm wide.
The doorway at the entrance to the bathroom is 78cm wide. There is a small step up into the bathroom measuring 7cm in height and the bathroom door is 78.5cm wide.
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Image description: A photo showing the doorway from the workshop area to the hallway where the toilets are located.
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Image description: Photo of the open bathroom door showing small step and the sink.
The bathroom contains 3 lockable toilet stalls and 1 urinals in a separate stall. 2 of the toilet stalls contain a sanitary disposal bin. The toilets have a large trough-sink with 3 taps. The taps are at a height of 1m and the soap dispensers are at a height of 1.38m . A pump soap bottle is also available at sink height.
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Image description: A photo showing the inside of the gender neutral bathrooms. Image ends.
There are accessible toilets located throughout Meat Market, use of these facilities requires leaving the Studio and entering the main Meat Market building. The closest available toilet is approx 100m from the MESS Studio located in the Stables. A MESS staff member can facilitate access to these toilets.
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Image description: A pdf image of Meat Market Mobility Map showing a floorplan with accessible toilets located within the Meat Market building. This map can be downloaded via this link. Image ends.
Getting to MESS
Google Directions
https://goo.gl/maps/2vGttnFabdt
Bicycle
Bikes can be locked up at the entrance to MESS at your own risk. The area is well lit and monitored by a security camera. We recommend securing your bike to the poles, not the fence wire. Follow this link for more info on how to securely lock up your bike in the City of Melbourne: link
Parking
Street parking is available on Wreckyn Street near the entrance to MESS via Dowling Place. There is also parking on Courtney Street. Parking costs $1.70 per hour but is free after 6.30pm.
Accessible parking: There are 2 on-street accessible parking bays located on Courtney Street near the corner of Wreckyn Street. These parking bays are approx. 130 metres from MESS.
Public Transport
Bus There is a bus that stops directly out the front of MESS. The 402 – Footscray – East Melbourne via North Melbourne stopping at either Courtney Street (to East Melbourne) or Dowling Place (to Footscray). The nearest bus stop is approx. 80 metres from MESS.
Train
Catch a train to the city and get off at Melbourne Central. From there, take the Elizabeth Street exit and transfer to either the 58 or 59 tram as described above.
Tram
Catch the 58 West Coburg or 59 Airport West tram and alight at Stop 14 – Royal Melbourne Hospital on Flemington Road. This tram stop is accessible and has ramp access on both sides (photographs of the tram stop are below). From here, follow Wreckyn Street to Dowling Place. This tram stop is approx. 400 metres from MESS.
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Image description: Photo of Royal Melbourne Hospital 14 tram stop. This tram stop is accessible and has ramp access on both sides to Flemington Road.
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Image description: Photo of ramp leading down onto Flemington Road from Royal Melbourne Hospital 14 tram stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring in a Carer/Support Worker?
Absolutely, there is no additional charge for support workers or carers to attend the session with you.
How do I make a booking?
Bookings can be made via the bookings page on our website linked here – https://mess.foundation/booking/
You can also call the MESS Studio direct on (03) 9329 7177 to make a booking during our regular business hours: Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
What are the payment options at MESS?
We accept card and cash payments.
Do you have any kitchen facilities?
We have kitchen facilities out the back including a coffee machine, kettle, fridge and microwave. Plates, cutlery, cups and mugs are available for use. Complimentary tea and coffee is available. People are welcome to enjoy their food and beverages in the kitchen area. No food and beverages are permitted in the studio.
How loud does it get in the studio? Are people using speakers?
Everyone using the MESS Studio works out of headphones, so the studio remains quiet during sessions and loud music is not played over speakers. Occasionally we may have soft music playing in the studio which cannot be heard while you are using headphones.
If you are attending a workshop at MESS and have noise sensitivity, please let your workshop facilitator know, or let us know in the comments section when you register for your workshop. If you need a quiet space during a session, please speak to a staff member and they can facilitate this in our workshop space to the rear of the studio.
Do I need to bring my own sound equipment like headphones, interfaces and recording equipment?
If you own something, you are encouraged to bring your favourite pair of headphones or a laptop/audio interface, or some other recording device to capture the sounds you make while you are at MESS. In the case you don’t have any audio equipment, we have loads of good quality headphones, audio interfaces and an abundance of other cables (audio, data, MIDI, and so on) that you are free to use during your session or workshop.
Is there braile signage at MESS?
No. MESS does not have braille signage.
Can I bring my support animal?
Yes you are welcome to bring in your support animal. Please email admin@mess.foundation ahead of time so we can ensure your furry friend has everything they need.
Is there discounted access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or refugees and asylum seekers? Yes, we have a $20 discount code for our Weekly Workshops that run on Tuesday evenings. The discount code can be found on the workshop pages for Eurorack Basics, Synths for women +/ non-binary people +/ trans people Workshop, Unlocking Analog Synths With Your DAW and MESS Introductory Workshop.
Course links:
- Eurorack Basics
- Synths for women +/ non-binary people +/ trans people Workshop
- Unlocking Analog Synths With Your DAW
- MESS Introductory Workshop
Will there be powerpoints / areas where people can charge mobility or communication devices?
Yes. Please speak to a staff member and they can faciliate this.
Is there WiFi I can use at MESS?
Yes. We have WiFi throughout MESS. A staff member will be happy to point you to the network and password.
