UNStudio\’s \”Green Spine,\” part of the Southbank by Beulah mixed-use development in Melbourne, Australia, reimagines urban living through vertical greenery and integrated public spaces.
Overview
Winning an international competition in 2018 against firms like BIG and OMA, this $2 billion project by UNStudio and Cox Architecture spans a 6,000 m² site along Southbank Boulevard. It features two twisting towers—a 356m residential skyscraper (Australia\’s tallest upon completion) and a 252m hotel/office tower—linked by a continuous \”Green Spine\” of landscaped platforms, terraces, and verandas that extend public realm upwards. As of 2026, construction progresses toward creating a cultural, commercial, and residential destination blending private luxury with community access.
Main Features
- Green Spine Integration: A fluid, verdant vertical network splitting the towers\’ mass, fostering indoor-outdoor transitions, shaded walkways, and panoramic views toward Melbourne\’s CBD and Botanical Gardens.
- Mixed-Use Podium: Ground-level retail, marketplace, entertainment, BMW experience center, and flexible cultural spaces for exhibitions, festivals, and arts events tied to Southbank\’s precinct.
- Public Amenities: Rooftop \”Future Botanic Garden,\” porous facades for city connectivity, and adaptable podiums promoting togetherness for residents and visitors.
Sustainability Materials and Methods
Employs high-performance glass facades with external shading fins for passive solar control, native Australian plants, and textures to combat urban heat islands, noise, and pollution. Strategies include optimized energy/water minimization, green roofs/walls for insulation, and the spine\’s orientation for natural ventilation and daylighting. Construction prioritizes modular elements and local materials for reduced embodied carbon, aiming for net-zero operational performance.
Ecological Impact
The design mitigates Melbourne\’s urban heat through extensive greening (absorbing CO2, filtering air), enhances biodiversity with layered ecosystems, and reduces stormwater runoff via integrated landscaping. By eroding street-level barriers and extending green public spaces skyward, it lowers city-wide energy demands and promotes healthier microclimates. Long-term, it sets a benchmark for high-density sustainability, inspiring scalable biophilic architecture amid Australia\’s climate challenges.