Project Overview

This space, now occupied by Monument Park, was ear marked for a major public art installation 10 years ago but planning began in earnest at the end of 2012 as part of The Quays development at Docklands, Melbourne.
Completed in December 2014, this 2000sqm site has continued MAB’s vision of integrating art and landscape into the NewQuay precinct.

Australia’s first capital city sculpture park, Monument Park references the City of Melbourne through the use of the Hoddle grid and points to Docklands future as an integral part of Melbourne.
Concurrently, the past is also referenced through the use of the various statues recreated and the perimeter joining the original timber wharf of Victoria Harbour.
Today, Monument Park is being used by the community for recreation, relaxing and play. People can be seen admiring the work as well as exploring the colour interiors and composition.

Organisation

MAB Corporation

Team

McBride Charles Ryan (Architect)
Callum Morton (Concept Artist)
Oculus (Lansdscape Architect)
GRC Enviroments (Sculpture Fabricators)
Charlotte Day (Art Curator)

Project Brief

Callum Morton, along with McBride Charles Ryan and Oculus Landscape Architecture have worked in collaboration to design an art-infused landscape.
“The ground plane is imagined as a concrete carpet with a pattern or weave, derived from the original Hoddle Plan of Melbourne,” notes Callum Morton. “This carpet is draped across the site at NewQuay and rises and falls as it covers an arrangement of objects under its surface. These objects are drawn from a selection of the public monuments currently found in the City of Melbourne, and when covered, they take on another appearance altogether. The forms are broken open in sections to reveal colourful worlds for sheltering in, exploring, playing amongst and enjoying as a community.”
“By using the Hoddle Plan and the various city monuments, we wanted to create a magical imaginary place but also emphasise the idea that Docklands should be regarded not as an isolated precinct but rather as an extension and integral part of the City of Melbourne .”

Project Innovation/Need

As Australia’s first capital city public sculpture park, Monument Park is a key step to revitalising the NewQuay Docklands precinct. What was once a concrete plaza has been transformed into a space for people to relax, grab a coffee, a bite to eat and enjoy life on the water.

The art infused landscape connects The Quays development to the waterfront promenade of Docklands. This addition to NewQuay allows for greener areas for commuters and greater public space compromising a variety of hard and soft landscaping as described by artist Callum Morton:
There are abundant green areas that appear through holes created in the surface of the carpet. The plantings appear as if literally erupting from the ground below to colonise this fantasy city.”


The seven sculptures reimagined are:
- Captain Matthew Flinders
- Vault
- Sir Douglas Lady Gladys
- Marquis of Linlithgow
- Burke & Wills
- Pathfinder
- Adam Lindsay Gordon

Design Challenge

Extensive engineering consideration was required for Monument Park, primarily due to the limited load capacity of the wharf. Concrete was an unfeasible material so polystyrene cores sprayed with GRC allowed for the correct weight without compromising the desired finish.
The technical solution for recreating the sculptures involved:
• 3D scanning CBD sculptures (e.g. Burke and Wills) over which the concrete “cloth” would drape
• Draping the digital model using specialised 3D modelling software
• Breaking the virtual sculptures into components of manageable sizes for fabrication and transportation
• 3D CNC routing large polystyrene cores
• Robotic spraying of a GRC shell over the polystyrene. This robot was specifically imported to Australia for this project.
• Finishing and detailing completed by hand.
• Fusing of the sculptures was performed on-site

The load limits of the wharf meant only plant species that could cope with limited soil and drought tolerance were selected. These species were mostly native to Australia and flowered at different times of year for an ever changing environment.
The trees used throughout Monument Park provide both the provision of shade and assist with wind conditions.

Sustainability

By using the Hoddle Grid and familiar sculptures from around the City of Melbourne, Monument Park positions Docklands as part of the city itself and no longer an isolated harbour.
This is a project that combines new elements of design while maintaining the original sea wall.
The unique approach of integrating art into landscaping encourages people to interact with the art rather than simply observing it. “The beauty of Monument Park is its evolving nature,” explains Michael Buxton, MAB’s Executive Director. “By integrating the sculptures with landscaping elements, it provides a new dimension. The park will continue to evolve over time as the trees and plants advance and through the change of seasons.”