Laak Boorndap
Sandpit collaborated with Melbourne Arts Precinct (MAPCo) on an interpretation masterplan for their landmark project, Laak Boorndap—an 18,000 sqm urban garden at the heart of the Melbourne Arts Precinct. With a transformative $1.7 billion investment, this initiative not only introduces NGV Contemporary but also reimagines the entire arts district, creating a vibrant new cultural hub for the city.
Our work with MAPCo involved a series of in-depth workshops with a diverse group of stakeholders to understand their vision for storytelling, information display, and visitor engagement within the garden. Laak Boorndap will serve as a connective green space linking key urban areas and enhancing the experience of cultural landmarks like Arts Centre Melbourne. Together with the MAPCo team, we co-designed a set of foundational experience principles, balancing multiple interests to ensure a cohesive vision.
We then developed a comprehensive suite of concepts, divided into two key phases: an immediate prototyping phase focused on swiftly actionable ideas, and a longer-term, four-year rollout, defining with the broader vision for the garden as it evolves.
Our approach pushed the boundaries of what’s traditionally expected from interpretation in a public garden. We envisioned how platforms like social media, printed zines, web apps and podcasts could bring the stories of Laak Boorndap to life, using modern communication strategies to engage visitors in new ways.
Ultimately, our goal was to help lay the groundwork for a cultural space that will not only become integral to Melbourne’s identity but also stand out as a truly unique destination on the world stage.
