Mirvac unveils Melbourne's first interactive musical playground at Yarra's edge
Melbourne's first interactive playground Harmony Garden has been revealed at Point Park on Yarra's edge, just moments from Melbourne's CBD.
The interactive playground, created by real estate investment group Mirvac, allows children to compose music using sculptural bells and gongs which are integrated into a playground environment.
Constructed from timber, the large wall features 16 stainless steel gongs, eight anodised aluminium harmonic bells and three cube drumming seats that combine to create an interactive musical instrument spanning 11 metres.
The innovative playground was designed by co-creator of Birrarung Marr's Federation Bells Neil McLachlan, artist and sculptor Emilia Storm and landscape designer Simon Ellis.
Dotted throughout the landscaped park are 11 multi-sensory interactive bell sculptures inspired by indigenous coastal plantings and situated within native gardens.
Children use a specially-engineered colourful soft plastic stamen to play the bells.
Mirvac’s Head of Residential, John Carfi, said the Harmony Garden will be a unique and fun way to bring children and adults together.
Federation Bells co-creator, Neil McLachlan, also an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, said the park would encourage children to play cooperatively.