Beulah appoint landscapers Grant Associates and ASPECT Studio for Southbank by Beulah apartment development

Beulah has appointed the world renowned urban design practice Grant Associates and the international design practice ASPECT Studios to create the landscaping on their landmark Southbank development, STH BNK by Beulah.

The development will be the first in Melbourne for the UK-based Grant Associates, who are most recognised for designing Singapore's well known Gardens by the Bay. They also handled the public area in the development of Barangaroo South in Sydney.

They'll be working with the Melbourne-based ASPECT Studios, who were the landscape architects for Prahran Square in Melbourne and Darling Square in Sydney.

The duo will join UNStudio, COX Architecture and global design and engineer firm Arup, along with ‘living infrastructure’ specialists Junglefy, in bringing to life the green spaces proposed in the winning concept from the 2018 Southbank by Beulah architecture competition.

 The landscape design will be centred on the planted vertical facades and outdoor spaces that will create the world’s tallest vertical garden, stretching from the street level to the top of both towers.

Upon completion there will be the Future Sky Garden, an expansive conservatory space at the top of the tallest tower. Extended planted terraces will characterise the facing facades of the two towers as they twist towards each other.

The mixed-use development on the current BMW showroom site on Southbank's City Road will comprise nearly 500 apartments and around 390 hotel rooms, as well as retail and office space.

On Grant Associates’ appointment, Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh said the practice’s reputation, globally, is second to none.

“Making considerations for the team on this project is a monumental task as this will be a world-class precinct for the city," Teh said.

"Grant Associates were selected, not only because they are leaders in sustainable urban landscapes, but because they truly understood our vision of connecting people through nature. Through dynamic biophilic design, our vision is to redefine notions of retail co-creation, cultural possibilities, workplace innovation, the learning economy, sustainable living and urban belonging.”

Singapore Garden's by the Bay, landscaped by Grant Associates. Image: Patrick Bingham Hall

Teh said the Beulah team is also thrilled to have ASPECT Studios join the team, bringing their local and global experience, as well as their extensive knowledge of landscape architecture, urban design, and urban strategy.

“It is about creating a sense of place and a signature location for Melbourne and Australia, which connects people and nature, as well as promoting a healthy city community and we know the ASPECT Studios team can help us achieve this.

Grant Associates Director Keith French said the practice believe in combining the latest design technology and thinking about nature, an opportunity which Southbank by Beulah represents.

“Southbank by Beulah is a pioneering project and delivering such a complex piece of integrated greening and place making in Melbourne is only possible through a collaborative approach and the collective efforts of many disciplines and specialists. We are really pleased to be working in close partnership with ASPECT Studios on this incredible project that brings nature and biophilic design to the forefront

ASPECT Studios’ Studio Director Matthew Mackay said they are looking forward to drawing on our experience of designing and delivering green infrastructure, biophilia and living architecture and pairing it with our local knowledge to provide a significant urban greening outcome for the city of Melbourne.