Client
Mirvac
Overview
New CommunitiesParks and Gardens
Collaborators
Urban Design and Management
Plan B Group
OPS Engineers
Elite Crossings
ULS Group
Disciplines
Landscape Architecture
Location
Altona North, VIC
Date
2022
Imagery
Tract
Drawing inspiration from the site’s industrial manufacturing past, the Fabric is a rich tapestry of textures, materiality and colour, creating a vibrant and unique presence of place for residents and visitors to feel luxurious in.
One of the standout features of The Fabric is its focus on community and connectivity. The development has been designed with a green ‘thread’ running throughout the estate, connecting and guiding its residents to the many parks and softscapes to be found on site.
Aligned to the boulevard entry a bespoke play structure sits between the community gathering area and large central lawn. The meandering periphery path frames the lawn before continuing north to the green link that provides safe pedestrian movement through the development.
The Thead begins at the highly commended Patchwork Park. This vibrant 1ha. park can be seen from Blackshaw’s Road when looking up the leafy entry boulevard; bight steel balls of yarn in blue, green, yellow and red rise above the greenery and invite passers-by in.
Patchwork Park is an embodiment of the site’s history, with its variety of materials such as recycled brick and bluestone cobbles coming together as an artisanally sewn landscape. The park includes two shelters, each with their own barbeques and picnic tables; small herb gardens; a grassed kickabout space with shade trees; the feature playground which considers children of all abilities and sensory needs plus a generous swing set and all access spinner.
A rich tapestry of recycled brick, exposed aggregate concrete, bluestone setts and pavers reference the surrounding townhouse architecture to ensure a synergy between public and private realms.
Arbours, which begin at Patchwork Park, guide users through the subsequent green links and through to additional reserves which cater to older children and teens by including a half basketball court and kickabout space.
The surrounding residential laneways also stay in check with the Fabric’s overall design narrative; Patchworked with coloured concrete, exposed aggregate concrete and bitumen. Garden beds are peppered throughout the laneways and are planted with a refined planting palette of trees and various shrubs, acting as a fabric softener to the surrounding hardscape.
