Project Engineer: Damian Frazzetto

Site Manager: Jason Green

Leading Hand: Luke Anthony

 

The Civic construction of the Argyle Square Piazza in Lygon Street Carlton by 2Construct which was officially opened to the public on 29th January 2006 at a ceremony headed by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Councillor John So, the Consulate General of Italy, the Italian Institute of Culture and the Italian Community, has seen a project of multicultural significance added to the City of Melbourne. The project represented a wide range of construction challenges with specific project features including Artwork and Stonemasonry.

 

With respect to the project artwork The City of Melbourne design team commissioned artist team Italian Porphyry to create the central artwork and piazza paving. The result of this collaboration is a new and uniquely Melbourne space that features a bronze solar clock surrounded by traditional handcrafted paving made from Italy's most enduring materials - Porfido di Trento - Porphyry stone from the trento region in Italy. Solaris - the solar clock has been calculated to the geographic location of Argyle Square. To determine solar time, visitors interact with the artwork casting their shadow onto the pavement.

 

With respect to the Stonemasonry the piazza is surfaced with a classic combination of mixed red and grey porphyry stone cubes and given a contemporary twist with the articulation of the overall design in high contrast white stone. By choosing to use Italian porphyry stone, the ancient craft of laying porphyry was given new life by applying classic parallel patterened laying techniques to the intricate , radiating pattern of the sloar clock pavement. 2Construct worked in collaboration with the City of Melbourne, ESPO - an accredited Italian industry body formed to guarantee the quality of the paving, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union and local stonemasons to develope a training program for two local stonemasons to go to Trento in Italy for 3 weeks to receive accredited training for the installation of the porphyry stonework. These local stonemasons then gained further on the job experience whilst working under the guidance and mentorship of two specialist Italian stonemasons who came to Melbourne as part of the cultural exchange to install the artwork pavement.

 

The project was completed 3 weeks ahead of the contract program, on time and on budget. Through collaboration with the CFMEU there was no lost time through Industrial disputes, injuries or Occupational Health and Safety issues. Coupled with significant earthworks, landscaping works, advanced tree planting, extensive grassed areas, irrigation works and bluestone works the final product is a unique project for all Victorians to enjoy for generations to come.

 

Feature in The Age - 2nd July 2006 - download PDF

 

The City of Melbourne - 5th July 2006 - download PDF

Building Commission- 5th July 2006 - download PDF

Direct Skills - Workplace Solutions - 7th July 2006 - download PDF

Bruce Atkinson - Shadow Minister for Small and Medium Enterprise - 25th July 2006 - download PDF