Prison site transformed into family friendly precinct

How do you transform a 150-year-old site with a controversial, violent history into a contemporary, family friendly precinct? That was the challenge facing ASPECT Studios when they took on the notorious Pentridge Prison, in Melbourne, helping to convert it into a residential and retail development.

The prison finally closed its doors in 1997, after housing some of the country's most infamous criminals. ASPECT’s job was to acknowledge and respect the dark history while creating a welcoming cultural community asset.

Pentridge main entrance. Photo credit: Dianna Snape

“ASPECT is dedicated to transforming brownfield sites in our inner cities into thriving new communities that also protect and value their past lives and the deep histories of places and people,” says Kirsten Bauer, landscape architect and studio director.

Bauer’s team collaborated with NH Architecture on the original master plan which gained approval from Heritage Victoria, and have subsequently completed the main part of the development alongside Sue Hodges Productions and PTA Landscapes, allowing the opportunity to build on the history of Pentridge as well as being part of its future.

Positioned in the heart of the precinct, in what used to be the parade ground or mustering yard, the new Central Piazza sits between the heritage protected bluestone buildings, and next to the new retail centre and cinema.

Water play sculpture. Photo credit: Dianna Snape

The historic mustering lines for prisoners in the yard are represented through simple concrete lines and crosses. Large quantities of hand carved bluestone blocks were extracted from an adjacent quarry by the prisoners to build the buildings and walls. These blocks are reused to create seats, edges and a water play sculpture. It’s a way of honouring the labour and craft of those prisoners.

Mementos of prison life are subtly infused throughout the site as an invitation to a deeper exploration to access the past.

Pentridge is now in the early stages of a revitalised chapter, and by altering the perspective from a neglected traumatic space to one of Melbourne’s cultural assets, the site lives on to see a new era where there is much to learn and reflect on, says ASPECT.

The piazza supports the redevelopment plan of a renewed lease of life for the heritage listed building and grounds by incorporating the use of rescued materials from the original site, ensuring the stories of the past aren’t lost or forgotten.