Footscray Studio Folio

F O OT S P L AY A N U R B A N D E S I G N P R O J E CT

URBAN DESIGN STUDIO A: FOOTSCRAY STUDIO FOLIO: ELLIOT LEVI (694359)

INTRODUCTION Footscray is an historically working class but today multicultural and rapidly gentrifying

The Footsplay project - my individual, detailed design - creates an open space that

suburb in Melbourne’s inner west. It’s separated from the central business district and the

complements street life around the site, facilitates the connection along Nicholson Street

inner north, south, and east by a large tract of industrial land and warehouses servicing

between the Central Activity Area and Victoria University, and provides further retail and

the Port of Melbourne. These characteristics have combined to give it a strong but highly

activity space for local African, community, and student-oriented organisations. Footsplay

diverse local culture, grungy but interesting streetlife, and a truly eclectic array businesses

aims primarily to enhance existing activity, and attention has been paid to the need for

providing everything from industrial and building supplies to oriental groceries, artwork,

affordable retail space, local aesthetic character, and the cultural richness and diversity of

and cuisine from all corners of the globe. A large contributing factor to its identity is the

urban life in the area.

relatively low price of land for both commercial and residential uses, which has allowed people from all walks of life to settle and start businesses in an area serviced by three train lines and only five kilometres from central Melbourne.

The proposed open space spans the gap between existing bridges across the railway line and features several small new commercial lots along its edges, extensive outdoor dining areas, and greenspace. It also includes an area for futsal and basketball that can double as

It’s attractive location and local culture has brought on a wave of gentrification and

event space, accessible decking on the upper floors of adjacent structures, new premises

population growth set only to intensify in the coming decades, which if not managed

for existing businesses in the area, and an arcade through the structure on the southern

correctly could threaten the diversity that makes it a unique, interesting, and welcoming

edge. Materials and view lines have been used to emphasise connections to both Railway

place by pushing migrants, bohemians, and working class people out of the market. As

Reserve and Footscray Station.

such, the aim of the precinct plan developed over the middle four weeks of semester was to address this by spreading newcomers across Footscray and attempting to develop multiple but interconnected precincts that provide the diversity that makes footscray special.

SECTION ONE: ANALYSIS DeďŹ nitions

Density

Below are definitions for key concepts relating to our site analysis processes.

We chose to use a simple measure of density: number of people per unit of area, for which

GentriďŹ cation

we can again use data from the ABS. However, as there has recently been (and is currently) significant high-rise development in Footscray, we also mapped the height of residential

A notable rise in the household income of an area that affects its physical characteristics

buildings of medium density (2-5 storeys) and high density (more than 5 storeys). We took

along with the social and ethnic composition of its population. It manifests itself in the

past, current, and planned construction projects, as well as strategic planning documents

urban environment by giving rise to businesses targeted at professionals and middle-class

into account in order to understand historical and future trends in density.

families, as well as causing a spike in land prices, renovations, and the construction of apartment complexes targeted largely at markets outside the area.

We opted to map it by gathering household income data from the ABS; identifying certain businesses - coffee shops, gyms, higher-end or trendy restaurants, art galleries, cocktail bars and renovated pubs, well-known brand stores, and boutiques; and by identifying structures with features that indicate significant investment in maintenance, renovation, or construction - new security systems, lighting fixtures, fences, post boxes, roofs, window fixtures, and paint jobs.

Melbourne Context To the right is Footscray in the Greater Melbourne Context. Other suburbs highlighted on the map are those that have undergone a similar process to what Footscray is currently going through. These suburbs are gentrified or gentrifying, ex-working-class, and today considered trendy or desirable for their cultural and spatial characteristics.

BRUNSWICK

FLEMINGTON

KENSINGTON FITZROY

FOOTSCRAY CARLTON

COLLINGWOOD ABBOTSFORD

CBD RICHMOND

YARRAVILLE

WINDSOR Train line Train station

ST. KILDA

CURRENT GENTRIFICATION

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

MAIDSTONE

BA

LLA

RA

TR

OA

D

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

STREET

MOOR E STREE T

NICHL

BARKLY

OSON

STREET

ESSEX

GORD ON STR

EET

FOOTSCRAY PARK

STREET

AY

BARKLY

PAISLEY

STREET

MELBOURNE CBD

STREET

HOPKINS

STREET

VICTOR

IA STRE

ET

WESTERN BULLDOGS FOOTBALL CLUB

IG

SH

CE

IN

PR

HW

NA

PIE

RS

TRE

HYD

E ST

REE T

ET

HIGHER-END APARTMENTS SEDDON

RKE

MIDDLE CLASS-ORIENTED BUSINESSES

RS

TRE

ET

WH ITE

PA

HA

LL S TRE

ET

RENOVATED HOUSE

COFFEE SHOPS, TRENDY RESTAURANTS & BARS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES TRAM LINE

0 km

0.25 km

N 0.5 km

0.75 km

1 km

FUTURE GENTRIFICATION

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

MAIDSTONE

BA

LLA

RA

TR

OA

D

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

STREET

STREET

AY

P

BARKLY

PAISLEY

STREET

STREET

HOPKINS

STREET

VICTOR

IA STRE

ET

WESTERN BULLDOGS FOOTBALL CLUB

HW

IG

SH

CE

RIN

MELBOURNE CBD

MOOR E STREE T

NICHL

BARKLY

OSON

STREET

ESSEX

GORD ON STR

EET

FOOTSCRAY PARK

NA

PIE

RS

TRE

HYD

E ST

REE T

ET

HIGHER-END APARTMENTS SEDDON

RS

TRE

ITEH

RKE

MIDDLE CLASS-ORIENTED BUSINESSES

ET

WH

PA

ALL S

TRE ET

RENOVATED HOUSE

COFFEE SHOPS, TRENDY RESTAURANTS & BARS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES TRAM LINE

0 km

0.25 km

N 0.5 km

0.75 km

1 km

FUTURE BUILDING HEIGHTS

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

MAIDSTONE

BA

LLA

RA

TR

OA

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

STREET

E STREE T

NICHL

STREET

ES

INC

PR

AY HW

HIG

BARKLY

PAISLEY

STREET

STREET

HOPKINS

STREET

VICTOR

IA STRE

ET

WESTERN BULLDOGS FOOTBALL CLUB

MELBOURNE CBD

MOOR

BARKLY

OSON STR

EET

GORD

ESSEX

ON STR

EET

D

NA

PIE

RS

TRE

HYD E ST

REE

T

ET

LEGEND FOOTSCRAY BOUNDARY

FOOTSCRAY TRAIN STATION

PLANNED COMMUNITY FACILITY

TRAINLINE

PLANNED ARTS/CULTURE FACILITIY

URBAN BLOCK

RS

TRE

ITEH

RKE

PLANNED PUBLIC ART

ET

WH

PA

ALL

STR

EET

SEDDON

RECENT/COMPLETED DEVELOPMENTS APPROVED DEVELOPMENT SITES ENVISIONED 1-3 STOREY ENVISIONED 2-6 STOREY

N

ENVISIONED 2-10 STOREY ENVISIONED 4-14 STOREY ENVISIONED 4-25 STOREY

FOOTSCRAY PARK

0 km

0.25 km

0.5 km

0.75 km

1 km

STREET CONFIGUARATION

Map by Wanchun Xu, Jia Zhang, Bhuvnesh Mundhra, Zhiyuan Zhang (2018)

SECTION TWO: STRATEGIC PLAN

SCATTERED TOGETHER Vision

Manage the change in Footscray's demography so that it complements the area's existing identity and build upon it cultural richness and diversity.

Plan Description Manage the change in Footscray's demography so that it complements the area's existing identity and build upon it cultural richness and diversity.

PRECINT ANCHORING ASSETS

PRECINCT ANCHORING ASSET

STRATEGIC PLAN

3 2

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE PRECINT

EX

WELLNESS PRECINT

6

1

IN G

BIK ET RA IL

EDUCATION PRECINT

8

WEST BARKLY MULTICULTURAL PRECINT

IS T

TO MELBOURNE CBD THE LINK

5

TO SUNBURY

THE PORTAL

FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY & ARTS CENTRE

4

SEDDON’S HIGH STREET

TO M

ELB

THE BRIDGE

OUR

NE C

BD

PLACES

7

PRIMARY LINK

THE CREATIVE HUB

SECONDARY LINK TRAIN LINE MAJOR PROJECTS

TO YARA VILLE

0

500

PRECINCT THREE - LIFESTYLE HUB (WANG LI)

PRECINCT

GAME & ENTERAINMENT CENTER

Rich street life shortens the distance between people. People are willing to walk outdoors to chat with their neighbour and enjoy the open space and neighborhood furniture.

STUDY AREA

FEATURES: TO MARIBYRNONG BIKE TRAIL

FOOTSCRAY PARK

sight line corridor

PARK

community designed side street event space mixed use/ interface conversion soft link strong link site specific major crossing

green space RETAIL&INTERFACE CONVERSION

GREEN SPACE

MEDIAM

green corridor SITE SPECIAL INTERVERSION

street improvement

GREEN CORRIOR SOFT LINK

CROSSING IMPROVMENT PERDESTRAIN &BIKE MOVEMENT STRONG LINK

STREET IMPROVEMENT STREET　IMPROVEMENT

Medium density residential area, Major transport tram line

MAJOR PROJECT:

Gordon Street Improvement

PRECINCT FIVE - PORTAL (AUDREY LOPEZ)

EA

AR

ST

FEATURES: sight line corridor

HOPKINS ST REET

R

community designed side street event space

ON

G

RI

VE

TO CBD

RI

BY

RN

mixed use/ interface conversion

MA

E

PR

CT

N CI

Y UD

The Portal Place serves as the entry way to the multi-cultural suburb of Footscray. The area is bounded by the Maribyrong Rriver on the east side and the rail tracks on the northwest.

The area is in demand for new developments because of the CBD view offered, riverside, and proximity to the city.

soft link strong link site specific

FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY & ARTS CENTRE

major crossing

green space green corridor

0

300M

street improvement

Maribyrnong River, Joseph Precinct, High-density buildings

MAJOR PROJECT: Urban Platform

PRECINCT FIVE - CREATIVE HUB (ZHIYUAN ZHANG)

PRE C IN CT

The place plays a main role for the industrial area of east Footscray.

Workshops and studio will provide good environment for careers and the open spaces along the river will create interesting activities for the people.

STU

DY ARE A

FEATURES:

Big buildings and wide streets, Maribyrnong River, Future West gate tunnel

MAJOR PROJECT: sight line corridor community designed side street event space mixed use/ interface conversion soft link strong link site specific major crossing

green space green corridor street improvement

Creative Space

PRECINCT FOUR - LINK (ELLIOT LEVI)

BARKLY

E

TH

GE

B

D RI

The place is characterized by intense, multicultural street life that caters to local African community, students, STREEthe T and day-to-day users of the FCAA.

FEATURES: Large number of small, local businesses community

TRAIN STATION

Intense and diverse street life Local identity anchored by local, African, Vietnamese, student culture. sight line corridor community designed side street event space mixed use/ interface conversion soft link strong link site specific major crossing

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

green space green corridor street improvement

MAJOR PROJECT: Footsplay

BRIDGING THE BRIDGES

PRECINCT FOUR - INTERVENTION DIAGRAM INTERVENTION SKETCH DIAGRAM TRAIN LINE

Flexible open space above the railway that connects the two existing bridges.

ALBERT STREET CROSSING

- Hosts community events such as markets and festivals.

- Boosts amenity of connection along Nicholson and Albert Streets.

- Features community designed street furniture and/or artwork.

NICHOLSON STREET CROSSING

ASYLUM SEEKER RESOURCE CENTRE

PEDESTRIAN FLOWS ACTIVE FRONTS IMPROVED CROSSING SITE BOUNDARY

TO RAILWAY RESERVE

TRAIN LINE

SECTION THREE: DETAIL DESIGN

FOOTSPLAY: A NEW STAGE FOR URBAN LIFE The Footsplay project creates an open space that complements street life around the site, facilitates the connection along Nicholson Street between the Central Activity Area and Victoria University, and provides further retail and activity space for local African, community, and student-oriented organisations. Footsplay aims primarily to enhance existing activity, and attention has been paid to the need for affordable retail space, local aesthetic character, and the cultural richness and diversity of urban life in the area.

The proposed open space spans the gap between existing bridges across the railway line and features several small new commercial lots along its edges, extensive outdoor dining areas, and greenspace. It also includes an area for futsal and basketball that can double as event space, accessible decking on the upper floors of adjacent structures, new premises for existing businesses in the area, and an arcade through the structure on the southern edge. Materials and view lines have been used to emphasise connections to both Railway Reserve and Footscray Station.

EARLY SKETCHES - VIEW LINES TO SITE TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMME

EARLY PLAN & EDGE STRUCTURES

CHANGE OF DIRECTION

DEVELOPMENT

SECTIONS

INTERIM CRIT - PLAN

A

A

B

B B

A

INTERIM CRIT - SECTIONS SECTION A - A

SECTION B - B

INTERIM CRIT - DIAGRAM Cage over exposed railway - doubles as seating.

Dancing Dog Café

Emphasised connection to Railway Reserve.

Cafés, restaurants, general retail

RA

ILW AY

Accessible decking Renovated premises for existing tenants Greenspace Strong connection along Irving to station.

Futsal & basketball courts/flexible open space

INTERIM CRIT - PERSPECTIVE

SECTION THREE: DETAIL DESIGN

FOOTSPLAY: A NEW STAGE FOR URBAN LIFE The Footsplay project creates an open space that complements street life around the site, facilitates the connection along Nicholson Street between the Central Activity Area and Victoria University, and provides further retail and activity space for local African, community, and student-oriented organisations. Footsplay aims primarily to enhance existing activity, and attention has been paid to the need for affordable retail space, local aesthetic character, and the cultural richness and diversity of urban life in the area.

The proposed open space spans the gap between existing bridges across the railway line and features several small new commercial lots along its edges, extensive outdoor dining areas, and greenspace. It also includes an area for futsal and basketball that can double as event space, accessible decking on the upper floors of adjacent structures, new premises for existing businesses in the area, and an arcade through the structure on the southern edge. Materials and view lines have been used to emphasise connections to both Railway Reserve and Footscray Station.

URBAN CONTEXT Cafés, restaurants, general retail BARKLY STRE ET

Other commercial Public and community-facing

FOOTSCRAY MARKET

Greenspace

Site

N STREET

Residential

NICHOLSO

ALBERT ST REET

Train station

ET

ING IRV

RE ST

E

LIN WAY RAIL

TRAIN STATION & FOOT BRIDGE

RAILWAY RESERVE

CITY WEST WATER POLICE STATION

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL

ASYLUM SEEKER RESOURCE CENTRE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM Dancing Dog CafĂŠ and street art on Albert Street.

Nicholson Street commercial strip and pedestrian mall.

RAILWAY

RAILWAY

Street art at rear of language school and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Note: ground level car park.

View across site from Nicholson Street Bridge and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

Site: above railway between Nicholson and Albert Street bridges.

STORYBOARD

FINAL PLAN N

A

10 0

50 25 (METRES)

IRVING ST R

NICHOLSON

ALBERT ST

STREET

REET

EET

B

A

B

TO RAILWAY RESERVE

FINAL SECTIONS SECTION A - A

SECTION B - B

SITE MAPS BUILT PROGRAMME

OPEN SPACE PROGRAMME

IRVING ST RE

IRVING ST RE

ET

ET

AY RAILW

STREET NICHOLSON

RAILWAY

ALBERT ST REET

STREET NICHOLSON

RAILWAY

ALBERT ST REET

AY RAILW

Built form

Second floor office space

Built form

Flexible open space

Ground floor retail/dining

Third floor retail/dining

Paving

Futsal & basketball courts; doubles as event space

Outdoor dining & general seating

SITE MAPS MOVEMENT THROUGH SITE

MATERIALS

IRVING ST RE

ET

IRVING ST RE

ET

Built form Greenspace

Pedestrian movement

RAILWAY

NICHOLSON STREET

AY RAILW

ALBERT ST REET

STREET NICHOLSON

RAILWAY

ALBERT ST REET

AY RAILW

Built form

Futsal court

Accessible decking

Basketball court

Paving

Greenspace Exposed railway covered by tight mesh