Projects
Flagstaff Pavillion
regaining a social hub and sports beacon
situation.
Over time, Flagstaff Gardens has accumulated a diverse range
of plants, buildings, landscapes and activities, all on a small
patch of land in the central city. Palm trees and old indigenous
wattle trees, lawyers having lunchtime BBQs and Tai Chi
practitioners dancing gracefully at dawn; all go hand in hand along
with intense use by many different social sports. The actual
problem of the park is that its recreation facilities are difficult
to use or are not readily accessible to the public. There are no
dressing rooms so people are currently forced to get changed at
Flagstaff train station. Bookings must be made at the City Baths
several blocks away – making spontaneous play impossible, and
public toilets are poorly located.
proposal.
The dynamic and pluralistic nature of Flagstaff Gardens could
be consolidated whilst addressing these shortcomings. By stacking
all the dispersed or missing amenities and activities in a single,
transparent building, the park will regain a focal point. This is
proposed as a pavilion essentially made up by three large courts
arranged vertically; suitable for tennis, netball, street soccer,
or other sports. The gaps remaining are filled by smaller
recreational rooms, rest spaces, and a treetop bar/café. All
missing service and sanitary facilities are contained within the
base of the pavilion, connected to a multi-purpose court for public
use. Access from the park is possible in the round. The new
pavilion would be erected on the site of the gardens’ existing
multi-purpose courts, and therefore requires no loss of open space.
All the courts are covered, but otherwise outdoor spaces, creating
the feeling of playing in the treetops. The permeability of the
pavilion will allow it to blend into its leafy surroundings. Its
visual appearance will be defined as much by the lively bustle of
people playing games inside as by its simple, lightweight
architecture.
conclusion.
The proposal deals with the park’s current needs and
atmospheric qualities. Encapsulating the gardens’ dynamic spirit,
the pavilion will turn into a vivid showcase for the city by
exhibiting local sporting culture, all-year round. Through the
intense overlaying of concurrent everyday activities, the pavilion
and park will yield an experience that is inherently original and
authentically embodies local culture. A snapshot that fits within
the chain of memorable experiences Melbourne’s inner city already
offers, and that visitors take home with them. In this way, a
project of real social substance could contribute to and feed off
the city’s branding initiatives.
poster from the exhibition placed in the sports lockers