Point Grey redesign revealed

DOWN TO THE WATERLINE

A PROPOSAL to redevelop Lorne’s Point Grey Precinct into a shared space of family, community, celebrations and traditions has been revealed as the winner of the architectural design competition for the site.

Last week, the Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee (GORCC) announced the team comprising Searle x Waldron Architecture, Edwards Moore Projects and Bush Projects and their “Waterline” submission had been judged the best of the four teams that took part.

Explaining “Waterline” – which features a large sculptural roof and a communal wood-fired oven among its elements – artist Vicki Couzens said the submission entwined the Aboriginal and European histories of Point Grey.

“It provides a deeply embedded foundation for the continuing activities of today and into the future as a place where families and community gather, to spend time, to share and enjoy. “Our proposal perpetuates this place as a shared place of family, community, celebrations, of traditions, of telling stories and listening around the oven/campfire.”

The five-person jury that assessed the submissions included award-winning Victorian architects John Wardle and Kristin Green, former GORCC chief executive officer Richard Davies, urban designer and landscape architect Bronwen Hamilton from the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, and Monash University manager of campus design Jocelyn Chiew.

The jury found the winner had a “compelling design strategy for the site (and) this expression of place ties the future development of the site to its ancient occupation as a place of gathering”.

The project is expected to deliver 30 construction and 14 hospitality jobs, and subject to further funding, will be ready to start construction next year.

GORCC chair Ken Northwood said he was pleased to present a winning design of such high quality, ahead of further community consultation before seeking planning approvals.

“I commend the work of the winner and all entrants to the competition. We sought a design that reflects community aspirations, through the celebration of past communities, embracing present communities, and enticing future communities.

“We heard that the community wanted something with a ‘wow’ factor that encouraged the millions of tourists visiting every year to ‘stop, spend and stay’ in Lorne.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something truly unique and distinctive at one of the most outstanding sites on the Great Ocean Road.”