STH BNK by Beulah site to feature large-scale mural of Australia natives before construction starts
In preparation of the construction of their STH BNK by Beulah development in Melbourne's Southbank, developer Beulah has commissioned Melbourne artist George Rose to paint a large-scale mural of Australia natives on the rooftop of the former BMW building.
Commissioned by Beulah Foundation, Beulah’s philanthropic arm, the artwork will aspire to promote art, well-being and sustainability, while advancing culture in and around the City of Melbourne.
The concept for the mural focuses on rejuvenating the current site’s urbanscape and will be complementary to the eye-catching Atong Atem mural that adorns the exterior of Hanover House, with both sites celebrating local female artists.The mural will be available to see from the end of July 2023 to December 2023.
Beulah Director Adelene Teh said the Beulah Foundation is thrilled to partner with George Rose, anticipating the positive impact of this artwork on the community.
“The vibrant piece commissioned by the Foundation adds colour and life to the area, aspiring to bring joy to workers, residents and visitors, especially those in surrounding tall towers who will be able to enjoy the rooftop mural daily," Teh said.
"It helps to spark imagination of the integration of life and biophilia with the future built environment, enhancing the connection between people and nature in cities.
“We received such positive feedback from the local community on Atong Atem’s Hanover House mural and it became a must-see installation within the City of Melbourne.
“With Melbourne as the cultural capital of Australia known for its rich and vibrant arts and culture scene, both of these murals aim to also activate Melbourne as a vibrant 24/7 city, while celebrating local female artists as well said."
Using bright, surreal colours and her signature gradients, George Rose’s work focuses on gestural mark-making often paired with endemic botanicals. Her work explores the fragility of nature, featuring endangered floral and fauna, and the transformation of the micro into macro-scale. Her work can be found across the globe from Australia to the US, and across Asia and Europe.
Both Hanover House and the former BMW site will be the future home to STH BNK By Beulah, a vertically integrated city within a city that will offer world-class retail, a comprehensive wellness precinct, a residential offering, a childcare centre, extensive green spaces including rooftop gardens and eight pocket parks dotted throughout, as well as an innovative cultural centre in partnership with Centre Pompidou, which has the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe.
The five-minute vertical city is substantially lower than the 15-minute benchmark set by planning models across the world, which was first introduced by French-Colombian scientist Carlos Moreno in 2016.
In 2019, the Victorian Government launched a 20-minute neighbourhoods pilot program, following research that 20 minutes is the maximum time that people are willing to walk to meet their daily needs locally.