Final designs for evolving garden in Melbourne Arts Precinct unveiled

Final design renders of a flourishing urban garden surrounding the National Gallery of Victoria and the Arts Centre in the Melbourne Arts Precinct have been released.

Along with the public release of final designs, the name Laak Boorndap (pronounced Lark - Born - Darp) was bestowed upon the garden by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Language Elder, Aunty Gail Smith, who explained the name signifies "a beautiful place for all people to visit and recognise our Country and our Wurundjeri ancestors. It's not just a placename, it brings Sky Country, the heavens, and everyone back together on Country."

The garden will span a substantial area of 18,000 square metres between City Road and Southbank Boulevard. The public space has been designed to serve as more than an attraction for tourists and locals to visit, functioning additionally as an access route between Princes Bridge, the Southbank Boulevard and the Arts Precinct. Once established, it will also be used as a site for hosting performances, workshops and events.

Designed by Hassell and New York practice Solid Objectives with horticulturalists Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, and plant expert Jac Semmler from Super Bloom, the garden will feature climate-resilient plants and an elevated planting deck above Sturt Street.

According to the design consortium, plant selections have been carefully considered to establish a garden that thrives year-round. A mix of native and introduced species, including trees, perennials, grasses and flora, will be planted to try to achieve this objective. The diversity of plants and a multi-layered planting design aims to create a landscape that continually evolves and appears distinct each season, ensuring repeat visitation.

The design features six distinct planting zones, with each of these zones reflecting an individual theme.

Principal at Hassell Ben Duckworth said Laak Boorndap will be "a place for people to be immersed in nature. A place for people to connect to each other, art and performance."

To create a symbolic connection between the garden and its surrounding arts and cultural institutions, sculptures and artworks will be located throughout the garden. These works will include new commissions completed by First Nations artists.

Katrina Sedgwick, director and chief executive officer of Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, said the new space "delivers biodiversity, beauty and social connection in a way that is diverse and ever-changing."

"This new garden will become a destination in and of itself, building connectivity and wellbeing for visitors, workers and residents alike," she said.

Laak Boorndap forms part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation masterplan, a major project which will involve the establishment of a new contemporary art gallery for the National Gallery of Victoria (named the Fox: NGV Contemporary) and upgrades to the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres building.