VCCC PROJECT MELBOURNE
17 February 2016
Extensive garden works at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre have recently been completed by Baron Forge, enhancing the $1 billion facility and bringing it one step closer to completion.
The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) is a $1 billion facility currently under construction in the Melbourne suburb of Parkville. Purpose-built for cancer research, treatment, education and care, the VCCC project is jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian governments.
Under construction since 2013, the VCCC facility covers a total area of 130,000sqm. The building rises thirteen floors above ground and includes a series of bridges linking the new building to The Royal Melbourne Hospital, together with training facilities, lecture theatres and meetings spaces, as well as a series of gardens and terraces throughout the centre. Many of these new gardens have been recenlty completed by the civil landscaping division of Baron Forge.
Working for developers Grocon and construction company PCL, Baron Forge was contracted to create a series of green spaces to enhance the building’s design and provide natural, inviting spaces for patients, staff and visitors alike.
Spread out over multiple levels of the facility and taking in excess of 12 months to complete, Baron Forge installed gardens that included coloured concrete paths with a ground finish, concrete walls that serve as seating and planters, extensive seating and tables, and irrigation works. The gardens also include soft landscaping, artificial grass and extensive tree planting. In addition, Baron Forge was responsible for the design and construction of architectural flower sculptures that provide additional shade for the rooftop garden.
The planting utilised for the VCCC gardens was chosen for its hardy and drought tolerant properties. The plants used are beneficial in that they are highly suitable for patients with low immune systems. The design of the rooftop garden also needed to accommodate the adjacent flight path for the Melbourne Hospital helicopter pad.
The new Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre is expected to be completed and fully operation by mid-2016.
To view more recent projects by Baron Forge’s Civil Landscaping division visit www.baronforge.com.au
