Laak Boorndap, an immersive landscape planted entirely on an elevated deck will help to reshape Australia’s Melbourne Arts Precinct with one of the most richly layered planting designs of any public garden in the world.

Designed by Hassell in partnership with New York’s SO-IL, world-renowned horticulturalists Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, and plant expert Jac Semmler from Melbourne company Super Bloom, Laak Boorndap (pronounced Lark — Born — Darp) forms part of the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation Project.

An 18,000-square-metre, biodiverse garden, the new public space will link the venues across the precinct and support community well-being and connection. It will wrap around the new The Fox: NGV Contemporary, NGV International, Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall and Theatres Building (under the Spire), along with adjacent The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre.

Laak Boorndap — a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung name bestowed on the garden by Traditional Owner, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Aunty Gail Smith — is unique in the world in its scale, planting density and climate resiliency.

Image credit: Hassell Studios