Grocon unveils tribute to Indigenous culture

Grocon last week unveiled its latest addition to the Melbourne skyline, featuring an 85 metre high representation of William Barak, the last of the traditional ngurungaeta (chief) of the Yarra Yarra tribe.

The unique facade has attracted international attention with its tribute to the Wurundjeri people.

“The idea stemmed from our desire to do something very meaningful in the context of the project’s location opposite the Shrine of Remembrance,” Grocon CEO, and Victorian President of the Property Council, Carolyn Viney said.

“We read of William Barak’s life and work and saw an opportunity to celebrate Australia’s shared identity – where we have come from – and to raise the profile of the Wurundjeri people and culture both in Victoria and nationally.”

Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy said: “The Wurundjeri people have been custodians of this land for many millennia” and that they were “proud of the suggestion by Grocon and ARM for the use of an image of William Barak on the Swanston Square building.

“His image acknowledges the past and embraces the present and future of cultures working together.”

Grocon worked with ARM architects and leading Australian artist Peter Schipperheyn on the project. Grocon said it “used innovative technology and architectural design to figure an impression of William Barak into the balcony profile of the 30-storey structure, which becomes more visible at a greater distance from the building”.

The effect is achieved by sculpting the balcony balustrades “using a bit map line-art reduction”.

“Using an approach known as Xylography, the portrait has been reduced to the critical black and white line elements and these have then been magnified to become the balustrade shapes,” said Grocon.

Further images of the building and a time lapse video construction sequence are available for download here