Herring Island is an environmental sculpture park isolated by the waters of the Yarra River. The island hosts a variety of local and international artist’s artworks as well as a native garden. With only a limited punt access during daylight savings servicing the island, the potential of this site has been severely marginalized.
This project is to develop a sensitive design proposal which allows greater access and use without compromise of the park modus operandi.
The Herring Island and surrounding banks is to become a focal point for the Arts Community of Melbourne and the local stakeholders whilst remaining a ‘hidden treasure’ in Melbourne. Land+water+fauna+flora+space+function+structure+detail+exterior+texture+colour+history, a place to gather, a place to relax, a place for activity, a place for art, a place for community.
Herring Island is an important environmental and recreational asset in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, and forms an important focus for the linear parkland proposed for the lower reaches of the Yarra River.
The island contains indigenous vegetation, and provides important habitat for native fauna, particularly birds. Such areas are rare in the inner suburbs, and are a valuable ecological resource. Herring Island is also an important recreational resource which provides opportunities for nature study, passive recreation and adventure play.
Herring Island is little known to the people of Melbourne despite its prominent position in the Yarra River. For years, the island had been used as a depository for silt dredged from the Yarra River and has experienced periods of neglect. This has left a legacy of land degradation, particularly soil salting, tree dieback, and weed invasion.
Herring Island is a sculpture park. Internationally renowned British environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy has created two works – a slate Cairn and a Stone House constructed from Dunkeld sandstone. Seven Australian artists have also installed works on Herring Island. These are : John Davis -A Hill, a River, Two Rocks and a Presence, Jill Peck Steerage, Julie Collins – Audience, Robert Jacks – The Ramp, Ellen Jose – Tanderrum(coming together), John Gollings with Samantha Slicer – Falling Fence, Robert Bridgewater – Scaled Stem.
The concept proposed is mainly an art gallery on the island, with a tunnel leads to the landing. The pathway on the island is changed due to the position of the gallery. There are more trees along the north edge of the island to block the view of visual pollution to the island (substation and Monash Freeway) and to block the noise from the Monash Freeway. Different species of Australian native flora are planted along the two sides of the pathway. A twist bridge connects the island to the south bank and covers the ugly opening of the underground drain. The cafe Kenteen on the south bank is redesigned into the similar style as the gallery on the island and it is also the reception of the gallery.
The main structure on the island is a gallery. The gallery is in oval shape. There are several Falling Fence sculpture inspired timber columns supporting the canopy of the facade. The columns are designed following the bridge as a welcome to the island. The north half of the gallery is connected to the open grass picnic area of the island, from the picnic area, the gallery looks like a big hill, the grass continues till the top of the gallery. The south half of the gallery is covered with translucent wind-guide canopy. The canopy can guide the wind into the gallery and keep the air in the structure fresh. There is a tunnel at the bottom of the gallery leading to the landing at the north bank of the island. The gallery is divided into two levels, the interior is in leaf costa inspired organic shape, when walking in the gallery, and people will feel as they are in a maze. The gallery is designed for painting, sculpture, photograph, etc.
