The Immersery / HASSELL

The Immersery / HASSELL - Waterfront, Facade, CityscapeThe Immersery / HASSELL - GardenThe Immersery / HASSELL - Table, Chair, GardenThe Immersery / HASSELL - Chair, Fence, HandrailThe Immersery / HASSELL - More Images+ 34

  • Interior Designers: HASSELL
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Schiavello
The Immersery / HASSELL - Chair
Courtesy of HASSELL

Axonometric

A cloud-like structure suspended above a floating bar and open-kitchen restaurant on the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River will form the spectacular centrepiece of the 2014 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival presented by Bank of Melbourne when it opens to the public on 28 February.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Garden
Courtesy of HASSELL

Designed by international design practice HASSELL, from a concept dreamt up by the team at MFWF, and more than double the size of last year’s Festival hub, The Immersery: Festival Kitchen, Bar and Raingarden is one of the most ambitious temporary spaces Melbourne has ever seen.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Table, Chair, Garden
Courtesy of HASSELL

HASSELL designer Brenton Beggs said The Immersery brings the Festival’s water theme alive and offers a glimpse of the long term potential of the Southbank site.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Chair, Fence, Handrail
Courtesy of HASSELL

“We thought about how to interpret the theme of water and connect it to the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival brand, which is one of the most prestigious festivals of its kind in the world,” said Brenton. “We wanted to design a space that would draw people in and create a sense of excitement and an element of surprise.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Garden
Courtesy of HASSELL

“The design represents the three states of water as well as the water cycles, encouraging visitors to consider how we use one of Earth’s most precious resources, at the same time as enjoying the vibrant and lively atmosphere of the festival.”

The Immersery / HASSELL - Image 7 of 39
Courtesy of HASSELL

The cloud-like canopy sitting above the disused Sandridge Rail Bridge will create a skyline community space and offer a new city vantage point.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Garden
Courtesy of HASSELL

“Water misters, multi-level planting and a water-inspired soundscape all contribute to the sense of an urban retreat, where visitors can relax, and become truly immersed in the landscape,” said Brenton.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Windows, Waterfront, Cityscape
Courtesy of HASSELL

“We worked closely with Melbourne Water to create ground-level raingardens that are located around the site. They feature drought-tolerant plants and demonstration vegetable patches in reclaimed 40-gallon drums.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Chair
Courtesy of HASSELL

“They show how people can harness Mother Nature’s most precious resource and capture, filter and reuse water before it re-enters the water cycle.”

The Immersery / HASSELL - Table, Chair
Courtesy of HASSELL

The barge on the Yarra River will be moored to the wharf beneath the cloud and be home to a floating bar hosting some of the country’s best wine, cocktails and drinks. The open-kitchen eatery on the concourse level immediately adjacent will feature a lunch and dinner menu designed by a star-studded collective of local chefs.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Table
Courtesy of HASSELL

Many of the materials used throughout The Immersery are connected to water infrastructure, such as plumbing pipes, and have either been reclaimed, recycled or will be returned into circulation following the Festival, ensuring material waste is kept to a minimum.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Image 13 of 39
Courtesy of HASSELL

HASSELL Principal Mary Papaioannou said temporary projects such as The Immersery provided the opportunity for experimentation through intervention in the public realm.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Garden
Courtesy of HASSELL

“Temporary or ‘pop-up’ events are great vehicles for testing ideas. They offer a chance to directly challenge established modes of public occupation and behaviour and offer the public a new perspective on a space they may already be extremely familiar with,” said Mary.

The Immersery / HASSELL - Image 15 of 39
Courtesy of HASSELL

“The inter-disciplinary nature of practice at HASSELL gives us opportunities to deliver a wide range of street-based design projects ranging from temporary, small-scale works to significant, city-shaping projects.”

The Immersery follows the successful centrepiece of the 2013 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the HASSELL designed Urban Coffee Farm and Brew Bar.


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Project location

Address:Queensbridge Square, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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Cite: "The Immersery / HASSELL" 06 Mar 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/483079/the-immersery-hassell> ISSN 0719-8884

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