Five designs to make Fed Square East proud
What happened to Federation Square East (FSE)? Did it slide into the murky depths of the Yarra?
Last year the project had progressed to a point where EVOLVE Development founder Ron Walker was splashed across the media, drumming up support for $680 million bid to expand the precinct. Urban.com.au also knew of one of Australia's largest developers who had also prepared a submission with the intention of snaring the site for a landmark development.
Alas like Flinders Street Station's overhaul and the Jolimont Railyards decking project, Federation Square East has fallen off the radar. Major Projects Victoria website states "The feedback received from the market has been provided in an Options Analysis which is being considered by Government." Options Analysis, is that code for no time soon?
Prior to offering forward five existing designs that I feel if transplanted in Federation Square East would suit it perfectly, I'll assert that Federation Square East should be devoid of any tall (beyond 15 level) buildings. The delineation that Flinders Street provides should not be broken by excessive towers which for mine would detract from the built form balance that should only be enhanced by Federation Square East.
The chosen five
Jean Nouvel: Philharmonie de Paris
Modern and uniform in appearance, Jean Nouvel's Paris Concert Hall provides a stark contrast to the surrounding built form of Flinders Street and Federation Square itself. In situ at FSE and surrounded by greenery or other ancillary buildings, it would look incredible.
Asymptote: Kaohsiung Marine Gateway
Yes it's a harbour terminal but the notion remains the same. Asymptote's design transplanted at FSE would see a flowing, modern superstructure with multiple venues located under the one roof. Partly elevated, the complex would see greenery below the elevated elements while still providing an overall modern juxtaposition to its immediate surrounds.
Sériès et Sériès: Taichung City Cultural Center
Bulky and economically unviable? Probably, but it is a statement! There's something enticing about having Birrarung Marr continue seamlessly into a new FSE
The success of the cultural center lies in the ability of the built environment to actually inspire the residents to look beyond the common and expected, materialistic and the easily consumed, in favor of the stimulating and daring. The the Taichung Fine Arts Museum and Library is designed to become a sustainable landmark.
Evolo
Striking a mix
Multiple architects contributing their individual design to FSE similar in scope and scale to what Zaha Hadid, RTA-Office and 10 Design have conceived above. Ideally FSE would not be seeded to a developer and likely single architect, rather transferred to a body such as Places Victoria (if they were in any way capable), who would in turn gather the best design put forward.
There's something captivating about having the best of the best selected designs side by side in such a prominent position... ahh wait reality is calling.
Peddle Thorp: Biocity
OK so it's a little old and completely out there but Melbourne-based Peddle Thorp ticked all the boxes with this 2008 concept for FSE.
The Cycle of Life, closely linked to our most precious resource, formalises this urban extension above a city railyard. Composed of five blocks interconnected by a rainforest atrium, pedestrians are free to wander the whole of the ground level through public spaces designed as a plateau, canyon or valley.
Australian Design Review
Why highlight Federation Square East
I've chosen buildings that convey a grand, almost homogenous exterior that clash nicely with the varied built form surrounding FSE. This is similar to what Herzog And De Meuron's Flinders Street Station design would have achieved with its singular roof structure.
Federation Square East is an incredibly rare opportunity to deliver a truly recognisable structure (avoiding the term landmark) rather than merely another skyscraper or the like. An opportunity to deliver something out of the box, or is that out of the rail yards? Just make it soon...
