A 2,000-square-metre rooftop farm known as ‘Skyfarm’ will be a welcome addition to the Melbourne skyline as part of the upcoming Seafarers’ mixed-use precinct, which is set to revitalise the unique and interesting past of Melbourne’s Northbank.
Situated directly adjacent to Seafarers on Siddeley Street, the transformation of the rooftop terrace will host an urban farm accessible to the public featuring a nursery, orchards and even an apiary for honey production, acting as a key driver for establishing the broader area as a thriving eco tourism precinct.
An initiative by leading Melbourne-based sustainability groups Biofilta, Odonata and the Sustainable Landscape Company, Skyfarm will feature a hub for sustainable design in addition to an environmental education centre. The learning facilities will enable thousands of students to participate in interactive educational programs on sustainable living and nature protection. The design is also set to incorporate a children’s playground, sustainable dining options and a state of the art event space for live music and entertainment.
The project is part of the City of Melbourne’s first Urban Forest Strategy, an initiative to create a resilient, healthy and diverse forest for the future. Known as the nation’s garden state, Melbourne is renowned for its historical parks, lush greenery, and city gardens. The Skyfarm project aims to integrate greenery with the urban environment and attract more people to live, work and visit the beautiful city of Melbourne.
According to the City of Melbourne, urban forests provide critical ecosystem services such as air and water filtration, shade, habitat, oxygen, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling, while also providing a connection to nature that is often perceived to be missing in urban areas.
Situated within walking distance to Riverlee’s Seafarers precinct, which is designed by renowned architect Fender Katsalidis and award-winning landscape designer Oculus, both Skyfarm and Seafarers share a commitment to sustainable living and protecting the natural environment in which we live.
Seafarers will be home to Australia’s first nature-inspired 1 Hotel, a 5-star luxury-lifestyle hotel by SH Hotels & Resorts, with Skyfarm’s fresh produce to be potentially utilised within the hotel’s restaurants.
Placing importance on cultivating native ingredients, Skyfarm’s theme is ‘essence of Australia’ which aligns strongly with 1 Hotel’s theme ‘essence of Melbourne’ – a nod to incorporating unique accents of Melbourne into the hotel’s design.
By incorporating nature into city spaces, Skyfarm plays a significant role in the wider transformation of the Northbank precinct and will be an inspiring project to watch.
