First Nations arts and cultural centre wins 2024 Melbourne City Design Award

The Koorie Heritage Trust Stage II - designed by Lyons, Greenaway Architects and Architecture Associates - has won the 2024 City Design Award at the Melbourne Awards.

The project involved expanding and rejuvenating a First Nations arts and cultural centre in the Birrarung Building in naarm/Melbourne's Federation Square. The updated centre - extended from two floors to three - boasts new exhibition galleries and improved areas for hosting community and educational programs. The reimagined centre reopened in December 2023.

The design team involved in realising the Koorie Heritage Trust Stage II was praised by the jury for "honouring and amplifying Indigenous art and culture in a contemporary execution."

Munro Development and narrm ngarrgu Library and Family Services by Six Degrees Architects and Bates Smart was shortlisted for the award, alongside 38 Albermarle Street by Fieldwork.