Nearamnew by Paul Carter in collaboration with LAB Architects. Photo by David Simmonds
development, review and refinement – to arrive at an appropriate, sitespecific design response. Time, trust and intelligent review allows a design team to do what they are skilled to do - design. Landing on an appropriate final design for the Apple project is an iterative process that is currently in train. A carefully integrated design that responds to the particular place that is Federation Square is not an off-theshelf product. It will be an outcome of interrogation, consideration and convincing resolution of principles – acknowledging design cues embedded in the existing place. The OVGA provides input (often confidential, usually invisible) to numerous projects that impact the community. Capable architecture practices also regularly test design concepts within the same constraints of confidentiality. We take this responsibility very seriously, seeing it as an important opportunity, at the inception of any project, to inspire quality and context-appropriate design outcomes. We are committed to promoting design aspiration, vision, considered intelligent change and processes that allow this to happen. Within the confines of necessary confidentiality, the OVGA has worked to embed key components for success in the process being navigated for the Apple project. The architects have strong capability and
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Architect Victoria
skill. The client is committed to quality and long-term legacy. The process of design review includes input from experts and representatives from Federation Square, LAB Architects, City of Melbourne and the OVGA. Community response has added its voice, reminding both government and Federation Square of the need to ensure a considered design process for this highly valued public place. Engaging the community in sensitive projects can be difficult and there is no single, perfect strategy. In our recent experience with other significant public projects across government, collaborative or publicdeliberation processes that seek to embed local knowledge and assist decision-making have been incredibly valuable and constructive. Although inevitable, change is not inevitably bad. Architects who effect change in public places carry great responsibility to ensure their response is overlaid by deep considerations about the quality and long-term impact of the places they build and concern about the community for whom they build. A model where all parties listen and learn, building both trust and understanding, will always be the ultimate goal. Jill Garner is the Victorian Govenment Architect