Development Victoria is continuing to deliver the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation on behalf of the Victorian Government.
The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation will deliver Australia’s largest contemporary art and design gallery, The Fox: NGV Contemporary, significant upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building, and the new 18,000 square metre, art-filled urban garden.
Laak Boorndap is a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung name bestowed by Traditional Owner, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Language Elder, Aunty Gail Smith.
Development Victoria’s Group Head of Civic Infrastructure Hannah Clement said;
It was an exciting moment after many years for the project to be able to share the design and plans for the Melbourne Arts Precinct.
The name means ‘heaven’s beauty’ and reflects the garden’s role of bringing people together to celebrate culture and community. A First Peoples public artwork will be commissioned for Laak Boorndap, which will sit alongside contemporary sculptures from the NGV and Arts Centre Melbourne collections.
Hearing Aunty Gail Smith articulate the meaning and thinking behind selecting the name Laak Boorndap beautifully captured the aspirations and vision for this extraordinary space, which has been a true collaboration between many parties to this point and into the future as we translate these aspirations into reality.
Hannah Clement
Group Head, Precincts.
Designed by the Melbourne studio of international design practice Hassell, in partnership with New York’s SO-IL, world-renowned horticulturalists Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, and Melbourne plant expert Jac Semmler of Super Bloom, Laak Boorndap will be one of the most complex designs of any public garden in the world.
It will be roughly the size of the MCG and will connect the creative venues and food outlets across the precinct and be a new home for events and activations to be hosted in the centre of Melbourne.
The transformation of the precinct has kicked off with the start of upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne, and the final stages of the deconstruction of 77 Southbank Boulevard – the future home of The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Development Victoria is delivering the project on behalf of the Victorian Government in partnership with Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, Arts Centre Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria and Creative Victoria.
Find out more about the project.
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View allUpdated on 05 September 2024