The District Docklands (VIC)
The District Docklands is one of Australia’s most significant urban renewal projects. The once-sleepy end of Melbourne has transformed and is fast becoming a retail, food, and entertainment destination.
Conversion Partners, a boutique cross-disciplinary property consultancy, managed the redevelopment. An integral part of the project centered around a commitment by The District Docklands to engage with the local community and artists through a variety of creative initiatives.
Whilst planning the vibrant space of The District Docklands, Brad Hennessy of Conversion Partners was introduced to the O initiative.
“We need change. The O fountains in The District Docklands represent a part of an overall push to move away from previous practises - to support social enterprises, to promote sustainability and create connection in the community.”
The commissioning of two O fountains provided a great opportunity for the District Docklands to embed sustainable water choice into the transformed precinct. It was a unique point of difference.
“It was an interesting way to add an experiential and meaningful take on water. Using the beauty of art combined with the practical functionality of providing a hygienic, filtered water refilling station, I knew it would animate the space and inspire positive change”.
Brad believed that artistic innovation, functional design and a public space that supported a sustainable society would help drive the economic transformation of District Docklands.
“To pioneer the revitalised water infrastructure for visitors in the District Docklands with the innovative O fountain was a great opportunity”
The fountains serve as a focal point in the public space where they are located. Through the use of art and design, the fountain arouses curiosity and inspires awareness of our environmental impact.
Artist Lisa Roet created the poignant public art on the O fountain. The primate hands and fingerprint remind us to live harmoniously with nature and our natural commodities.
We all know the environmental impact of single-use plastic is mind-boggling. The District Docklands understood the conflicting narrative of asking people to be more sustainable, but not having the appropriate infrastructure in public places to support sustainable choice.
By featuring an O fountain they can now encourage visitors to refill their own water bottles rather than purchasing one-use plastic bottles, to help reduce the 118,000 tones of plastic purchased in Australia each year.
Client:
The District Docklands
Partners:
Conversion Partners
Wonderment Walk Victoria
Artist:
Lisa Roet
