Melbourne is set to witness an inspiring fusion of creativity and sustainability with the “Reimagining Birrarung: Design Concepts for 2070” exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
This visionary showcase invites eight of Australia’s top landscape architecture and design firms to reimagine the future of the Yarra River, or Birrarung, presenting innovative ideas on how communities can better engage with, access, and preserve this vital ecosystem.
The exhibition, a collaborative effort with the Birrarung Council and guided by consultations with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elders, features thought-provoking design proposals from renowned firms like ASPECT Studios, Bush Projects, McGregor Coxall, OFFICE, Openwork, REALMstudios, SBLA, and TCL. Each studio offers a unique vision for a section along the river corridor, spanning from Melbourne’s city center through the eastern suburbs to the Yarra Ranges.
Visitors can expect an immersive experience with the exhibition’s use of cinematic images, animations, 3D models, and interactive maps. ASPECT Studios, for instance, envisions a future where a broadened river corridor, freed from the constraints of the Eastern Freeway, becomes the heart of community life with expansive parklands and swimmable waterways. Meanwhile, Bush Projects foresees the Upper Yarra catchment as a biodiversity protection zone, accessible only to Traditional Custodians and River Rangers.
McGregor Coxall employs advanced data modelling to project a future where decision-making is informed by environmental and cultural data, while OFFICE questions land use equity through a compelling video work. Openwork imagines a secession of the Birrarung catchment into an autonomous territory with its own governance, and REALMstudios offers a vision of cooler urban conditions through land restoration and cutting-edge technology.
SBLA’s layered map of the river ecosystem and TCL’s geological core samples further explore the river’s current state and potential futures, prompting audiences to reflect on the relationship between human activity and the natural world.
Supported by Principal Partner Bupa, the exhibition includes a rich program of activities such as a symposium, talks series, and outdoor events along the Birrarung. Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning, emphasises the continuity of the Victorian Government’s efforts to safeguard the river, noting the significance of the exhibition in promoting sustainable use of this natural resource. Harriet Shing, Minister for Water, highlights the importance of community involvement in protecting the Birrarung, while Tony Ellwood AM, Director of NGV, underscores the role of landscape architecture in shaping a sustainable future.
Roger Sharp, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at Bupa, reflects on the exhibition’s potential to inspire active community engagement in preserving local green spaces.
“Reimagining Birrarung: Design Concepts for 2070” runs from August 23, 2024, to February 2, 2025, at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square. Entry is free, inviting all to explore and contribute to the dialogue on the future of Melbourne’s beloved river. For more details, visit the NGV website at NGV.MELBOURNE