Living Entity – Parks Victoria Albert Park Office and Depot by Archier and Harrison and White

With vegetation spilling over its edges, trailing vines curtaining the external glazing and a landscaped courtyard at the centre, the Parks Victoria Office and Depot is more living entity than built structure. Set on the shores of Albert Park Lake in Melbourne, the project is the work of a design team made up of architects Archier and Harrison and White working alongside landscape architects Openwork.

As a building conceived as a gift to the public realm, there is a sense that it is accessible to all. The central courtyard was considered to be an extension of the park and members of the public are welcome to stroll inside. The building’s perimeter was also carefully considered – a continuous concrete ledge acts as a park bench, encouraging passers-by to stop and sit. Meanwhile, the glazed walls feel approachable rather than impervious, and the veil of vines and mass of roof plantings visually nestle the structure into the parkland surrounds.

For the people working inside, the planted exterior ensures it does not feel like a ‘fishbowl’ on show from all sides. Rather, there is a layered transparency, and the abundance of light and vegetation creates a calm and tranquil natural environment – just like the parks the agency is tasked with protecting.

As a building conceived as a gift to the public realm, there is a sense that it is accessible to all.