Winning design for Victorian Pride Centre unveiled

The largest-ever Midsumma Pride March coincided with the unveiling of the design for the Victorian Pride Centre (VPC) in St Kilda.

Minister for Equality, Martin Foley was on hand to announce the winning scheme by St Kilda-based firms Grant Amon Architects and Brearley Architects and Urbanists on their innovative take on the Pride Centre design.

The Victorian Pride Centre will be a vibrant symbol of LGBTI resilience and inclusion – right here in the Equality State.

It will be a space for the community and LGBTI organisations to share ideas, collaborate and celebrate our diversity – it’s also at a key site the Pride March goes past. Congratulations to Grant Amon Architects and Brearley Architects and Urbanists on their winning design – and thanks to the selection panel and the tireless efforts of the Victorian Pride Centre Board.

- Martin Foley, Minister for Equality

The design for the VPC brings together a space for visitors and a home for LGBTI organisations to collaborate and share ideas, and will house 10 major LGBTI organisations including JOY FM, the Victorian Aids Council, LGBTQI Multi Culture, Multi Faith, Team Melbourne and the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives.

Jude Munro AO, Chair of the Victorian Pride Centre board said the winning design is outstanding and will immediately make the Pride Centre iconic.

With over 18 submissions received, we wanted the winning design to be inspirational and  (the winning design) more than satisfies these criteria. The building is due to open in 2020 and our aim is for the Pride Centre to be a catalyst for the revival of Fitzroy Street and to fit into the St Kilda design vernacular which this design does superbly.

I would like to thank the jury for their tireless pro bono work on the Design Competition committee.

- Jude Munro AO

The design features an internal square at ground level complete with bleachers and a central atrium rising the full height of the building with the various programs and spaces arranged around it to ensure adequate access to natural light.

In 2016 the State Government contributed $15 million to support the development of the Centre at 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, with the site donated by the City of Port Phillip. The facility has been designed to showcase LGBTI art and history as well as bringing together advisory, health and support services.

City of Port Phillip Mayor, Cr Bernadene Voss said she is proud the Council’s $13 million contribution that aims to help provide a home with services for the LGBTIQ community and praised the design of the two local architects.

The project is now truly underway, and Port Phillip Council is delighted the innovative vision of two talented St Kilda architects will take pride of place on this iconic street as a locally loved landmark and visitor drawcard.

Cr Bernadene Voss, Mayor City of Port Phillip

The entries were judged by an expert panel comprising:

• Jury chair Dimity Reed AM (retired architect, academic and writer);
• Tim Bamford (principal, Tim Bamford Consulting);
• Stephen Barrow (Victoria Pride Centre board member);
• Sophie Dyring (Schored Projects);
• Peter Elliott (Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design)
• Jill Garner (Victorian Government Architect); and
• Shane Murray (Dean, Monash University, Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture).

For more images of the winning design click here. 

Lead Image: Grant Amon Architects and Brearley Architects and Urbanists design presentation.