Location
1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Client / Instructor
University of Melbourne - Guillermo Andres Rojas Alfaro
Year
2025
Status
Speculative / Unbuilt
Program
Indigenous Culture, Performing Art, Stage, Experiential, Local Material Selection.
Area
3,122 m2
Tutor
Taras Wolf
PLAN & SECTION
The experience of arriving is welcoming and unique, with a large sweeping curved wall gently directing visitors toward the water feature. This water element acts not only as a natural threshold but as a quiet invitation to slow down, to cleanse, and to come together before entering the performance space. Inside, the lifted earth is punctuated by openings , not just for natural light, but to create a temporal experience. With atmospheric changes throughout the day, visitors are able to experience the uniqueness of the space and connect to the rhythms of Country through texture, light, and shadow. At the heart of the stage, a singular beam of light cuts through the structure, creating a spotlight, not artificial, but celestial. This light honors the performer as the soul of the space.
THE LIFTED EARTH
This project is called Lifted Earth, as it is gently formed and shaped in a way that emerges with the existing ground to create an art performance space. Unlike conventional architecture, which often interrupts the natural flow of a site, this design allows flow and movement rather than obstruction. By introducing gently curved terrain, people are able to walk over and around the space. It is not just a place to observe, but a place to pass through, listen, and enjoy art performances freely.
CONCEPT SKETCHES
Experiencing this space is about feeling it through all five senses. It’s about creating a journey where nature, structure, and culture come together. As people move through the space, they feel the texture of materials, hear the gentle sound of water, touch the hanging plants, and sense the atmosphere shaped by the landscape and the stories around them. The whole idea is to slow people down, make them more aware of their body and movement, and create moments of respect and connection before reaching the performing space. It’s not just about providing shelter or circulation, it’s about building an emotional memory through sound, touch, and movement.