Image: University of Melbourne Student Precinct, Photographer: Peter Bennetts
Design team: Lyons Architecture, Koning Eizenberg Architects, Breathe Architecture, NMBW Architecture Studio, Architects Eat, Greenaway Architects, ASPECT Studios, GLAS Landscape Architects
The Design Excellence Program demonstrates the City of Melbourne’s commitment to high quality design in our built environment.
What is design excellence?
Design excellence describes projects that demonstrate exceptional standards in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design.
Design excellence is measured by the functionality, liveability, sustainability and public contribution of buildings and urban spaces. Design excellence can be achieved in projects of any scale and value, and is not limited to high cost or iconic buildings.
In 2021, the City of Melbourne launched the Design Excellence Advisory Committee and the Melbourne Design Review Panel Pilot Program. A program update was presented to the Future Melbourne Committee on 21 March 2023.
Design Excellence Program
The Design Excellence Program focuses on design leadership and innovative processes to support high quality design and to consistently improve built environment outcomes within the City of Melbourne. The program provides leadership and advocacy through its core streams: design committee, design review, competitive design, and awards. Key initiatives within these streams are informed by extensive research, engagement and benchmarking of similar programs in Australia and abroad.
The Central Melbourne Design Guide is a strong policy base to shape design outcomes. It is a visual tool to support the use and interpretation of Urban Design in the Central City and Southbank (Planning Scheme Amendment C308), and illustrates examples and case studies of design excellence in the city.