Bunurong
Victorian
Eternity Life is a socially inclusive building that is 71% carbon neutral made from Simple Laminated Timber. The design’s inspiration has been taken from its surrounds and its external influences. Situated in Footscray, Melbourne Victoria, the project is adjacent to Stoney Creek, an active waterway leading to Maribyrnong River, we drew inspiration from remnant buildings within the site’s proximity; a nod to the industrial past of Footscray. This idea drove the form and shape of the building, with the gable roof forms and timber cladding.
The site is landscaped to be surrounded by trees. Major inspiration was taken from the existing natural environment including Stoney Creek, native trees and wildlife on the site which created the project concept ‘’in the shade of the tree’’. From this came the concept ‘’nature is eternal’’ and the desire to create a space which captures all three tenses – past, present, and future.
Eternity Life is a multi-faceted and formidable building, the design story is complex. A number of core design ideas have been interwoven and inspiration has been taken from both its surrounds and external influences.
We aimed to design a precinct that has the sense of eternity and will be in existence forever. In doing so we have created a place that both enhances the connection of residents to the local environment and extends beyond the boundaries of the site to provide a high level of social equity and provides a sanctuary for people in the centre of an urban environment
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
