Image Credit : Robyn Oliver
Project Overview
Acacia Place, is a mixed use/apartment village on a unique Elm tree gladed bend of the Yarra River in Abbotsford, inner Melbourne. The project comprises three residential buildings, delivered in three stages – Eden, Haven and Sanctuary, comprising a total 567 apartments, all carefully sited to a well-considered public open space masterplan intentionally activated by cafes, retail and some commercial tenancies.
Tract, in collaboration with Hamton and Rothe Lowman Architects, was instrumental in the initial master planning and authority advocacy for the project. The project gained authority support due, in part, to the inclusive nature of the design with easy access for the public through the development to the riverside trails of the Yarra River.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Tract Consultants
Rothe Lowman Architects
Project Brief
The Brief was to create a site responsive, high density mixed use development. The site is bordered by the gritty urban Victoria Street on one side and the tree-lined Yarra River corridor on the other, and the design response needed to address these two very different environments.
The ambitions for the development were also that it contribute positively to the public realm, encourage pedestrian connectivity between Victoria Street and the Yarra River, and that it be identifiable, individual and provide a catalyst for social interaction in the immediate precinct.
Acacia Place has not only met but exceeded the aims of the Brief. The accomplishments of the project have been recognised in the awards and media coverage the project has already received.
Project Innovation/Need
Acacia Place places an emphasis on shared and activated communal spaces and invites the public in and through the site. A public, pedestrian ‘street’, was created to diagonally bisect the site achieving the most direct access between Victoria Street and the Yarra River corridor. The pedestrian spine is heavily landscaped and transitions from the hard, grey urban condition on Victoria Street to the bushland ambiance of the river corridor.
The landscape treatment draws the riparian character up into the site, employing use of timber and stone, visible rain gardens and indigenous plant selection. This public thoroughfare, onto which each residential lobby faces, acts as a human tributary to the Capital City Trail that follows the river. Cyclists are accommodated, using bicycle gutters to navigate the stairs.
Design Challenge
The design and planning included a concerted effort to bring the Yarra riparian landscape character into the development as well as reinforcing by design, pedestrian primacy over cars with shared zones and pedestrian only spaces. The main vehicular drop off loop is designed as a people friendly ‘garden’ piazza with trees, furniture and planters defining the vehicular zone, rather than the typical kerbs and bollards. The external spaces were designed to encourage social interaction providing residents with easy opportunity to meet their neighbours.
Each building features residents’ amenities enhanced by communal roof top gardens including barbecues, dining facilities, roof top cinemas and spaces for lounging and enjoying the view. A lap pool, resort deck overlooking the river and gym is central to the entire complex and available to all residents and guests.
From the outset art was integral to the masterplan and Tract was involved in the selection process of a limited competition including 12 artists. The three winning sculptures were Daniel Agdag's ‘The Inspector’, Priscilla Bracks ‘the Light Wall’, and Mike Nicholl's ‘Bird in the Hand’.
Sustainability
Urban raingardens have been cleverly integrated into Acacia Place to capture and filter stormwater before it enters the river system. The palette of materials and planting reflects the transition from the urban environment of Victoria Street to the natural character of the Yarra River corridor. Although the project is located in a dense urban area, it has a natural leafy, riverine atmosphere.
The landscapes of Acacia Place provide a range of beautiful, innovative and useful open spaces supporting the residents’ open space needs whilst facilitating pedestrian and cyclist river trail connections for the wider community.
Landscape Design
This award celebrates creativity and innovation in the use of practical, aesthetic, horticultural, and environmentally sustainability components, taking into account climate, site and orientation, site drainage and irrigation, human and vehicular access, furnishings and lighting.
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