Hassell & SO-IL bring biodiversity to city arts precinct

New designs – and a name - have been released for an urban garden in Melbourne, VIC, which forms part of the Victorian Government project to transform the city’s art precinct. The Laak Boorndap garden is designed by Tenderstream members Hassell and SO-IL, alongside world-renowned horticulturalists Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, and plant expert Jac Semmler from Melbourne company Super Bloom. Intended to foster biodiversity, the highly dynamic, multi-layered garden will add vital natural space to the heart of one of Australia’s most densely populated urban areas.

The garden was named by the site’s Traditional Owner, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Language Elder, Aunty Gail Smith. Laak Boorndap means ‘heaven’s beauty’, which reflects the garden’s role of bringing people together to celebrate culture and community. Built over Sturt Street, the 18,000 sq m public space will link various venues across the precinct, while supporting community well-being and connection. It will wrap around the new The Fox: NGV Contemporary, NGV International, Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall and Theatres Building, along with the adjacent Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre.

The garden is expected to provide a new type of biodiverse space for Melbourne – a place for people to be immersed in nature and to connect with each other, art and performance. Unique in the world in its scale, planting density and climate resiliency, Laak Boorndap will be made up of a diverse mix of local Victorian, Australian and international plant species, marking a bold and unique approach to naturalistic planting that focuses on climate resilience. A vibrant array of sculptures, installations and creative activities is planned to provide visitors with experiences encompassing culture and nature.

Works are scheduled to start in 2026, and the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project is expected to be completed in 2028.

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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