Client
City of Port Phillip
Overview
Public RealmEducationParks and Gardens
Collaborators
Hayball Architects
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec
Disciplines
Landscape Architecture
Location
Southbank, VIC
Date
2018
Imagery
Tract
Awards
2020 City of Port Phillip Design + Development Award — Non-Residential Development
2020 AILA Landscape Architecture Award — Community Contribution (VIC)
2019 Australia Urban Design Award — Built Project — Local + Neighbourhood Scale
A former industrial area has become a lively community and education precinct, grounded by innovative landscape and urban design.
Fishermans Bend is Australia’s largest urban renewal project and is planned to transform a series of industrial precincts into a 455- hectare modern development of inner Melbourne, with an expected 80,000 residents by 2050.
One of the first major projects was Ferrars Street Education and Community Precinct, which includes the new South Melbourne Vertical School, Kirrip Park Open Space and surrounding public realm upgrades.
Tract’s overall strategy was to deliver a functional, sustainable and inclusive environment, and to approach the co-locating and clustering of community facilities within an urban context.
In considering rapid population growth, designers and planners are increasingly tasked with delivering projects that maximise amenity for a broad user group within smaller urban footprints.
The design of the public realm and streetscapes enhanced the sense of connectivity throughout the precinct, and created a pedestrian-oriented environment.
Improvements in safety, accessibility and connectivity were key drivers in the delivery of each stage of works with an emphasis on walkable streets, safe bicycle lanes and connections to public transport.
The school, which has been operational since 2018, has embraced the parkland and surrounding civic spaces for active play and external classes, while surrounding businesses are afforded the opportunity to enjoy parkland at their doorstep.
The design and success of the precinct will serve to lead future developments within Fishermans Bend, and be enjoyed by generations of residents for years to come.
