The program works to improve the quality of Melbourne’s public spaces and buildings by:
- advocating for design excellence across industry, academia and the community
- recognising and rewarding design excellence
- shaping and influencing significant private developments
- supporting creativity and innovation in design
- promoting the value of excellent design in contributing to thriving communities
The program is overseen by our award-winning design practice, City Design, which has expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and industrial design.
Key initiatives of the program include:
- public events and advocacy
- Design Excellence Advisory Committee
- Melbourne Design Review Panel
- design competitions
- design awards
Explore
Download the program and background documents
Complementary publications
We’ve developed strategies and guidelines to support achieving excellent design outcomes for the built environment in Melbourne.
The Central Melbourne Design Guide provides a visual guide to support excellent design outcomes in the central city and Southbank. More specifically, it supports the use and interpretation of Development Overlay Schedule 1 (DDO1) within the Melbourne Planning Scheme.
The Design and Construction Standards are a tool to support all parties involved in the planning, design, review, approval, delivery and handover of public realm spaces and infrastructure. The standards aim to support the consistent implementation of materials, furniture, signage, lighting, planting and utilities across the city’s public realm infrastructure and provide clarity on requirements for all users.
The Public Lighting Strategy provides direction for public and private external lighting throughout the municipality. It aims to enhance how people experience the city after dark while ensuring responsible energy use. It promotes improvements to safety and amenity, especially for pedestrians, and it intended for designers, developers, building owners, architects and planners.
