Arup creates new Nature and Science Precinct at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens
29 July 2019
Arup has been appointed to deliver
multidisciplinary engineering design services for a significant
development for
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV).
The Royal Botanic Gardens are one of
Melbourne’s most visited tourist
destinations, and this project will help to position the area as a
nature and science precinct, centrally located between the city’s famous
sports and arts precincts.
Working with
John Wardle Architects and
Kerstin Thompson Architects,
Arup will bring local and global expertise in designing
public spaces,
both above and below ground, to the project, which will re-imagine the
southern side of the Gardens and provide a new home for the priceless
State Botanical Collection.
The project will also open up existing
buildings to the public and help create a connection with RBGV’s
important research and curation work.
At the heart of the project is the restoration of the heritage-listed
1934 Herbarium building, and creation of a new state-of-the-art
underground Herbarium facility. This new building will contain a two
level ‘vault’ to house Victoria’s priceless State Botanical Collection
and significant new curation and laboratory spaces for RBGV’s science
and curation teams.
“The vision for this project aligns strongly with our own values of
delivering sustainable design solutions for the benefit of future
generations. ”
The project also includes a new facility for RBGV’s staff. This new
building will provide an inspiring workplace that allows RBGV staff to
be co-located for the first time.
In addition, there will be internal refurbishments to historic buildings
in the Melbourne Observatory, a new Learning and Participation Centre
and re-focused Entry Forecourt.
“We are delighted to be involved in this significant project for Royal
Botanic Gardens Victoria which continues our long engagement with this
state-significant landmark, where we first designed the Visitor Centre
in 1996,” said Finola Reid, Arup Project Director.
The project is expected to be completed in 2021.
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Source: Arup - www.arup.com
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