the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation
Victoria
The Northern Memorial Park (NMP) Depot, a project for the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT), redefines the depot typology by providing a sustainable and beautiful workplace for those in emotionally challenging roles.
The two-storey mass-timber operations hub rethinks the traditional industrial truss and reflects the clients core values to design infrastructure for longevity and sustainability.
Responding to its diverse civic, industrial, natural, and memorial contexts, a pleated and perforated screen wraps the building, amplifying shadows and depth. The screen compresses at double-height public entry points and curves around existing tree canopies. Colours shift to reflect the muted green hues of the surrounding cemetery landscape.
By making the often-overlooked aspects of cemetery operations visible, engaging and beautiful, the NMP Depot plays a crucial role in shaping the future of GMCT while respecting the solemnity and purpose of its surrounding landscape.
“GMCT’s new depot is a unique project that provides a foundation for our long-term future at Northern Memorial Park and for new ways of working. The design integrates our administrative, burial operations and horticulture teams into a single building designed for longevity and sustainability. It also provides meeting rooms, classrooms, and technical training spaces that will serve both GMCT and the sector.
The building has combined the functionality our teams need, the sustainability we require to operate well-into the future while keeping our carbon footprint small, and the design required to create a space that blends seamlessly with surrounding landscape.”
Suzannah Waldron, Design Architect
Jack Jordan, Project Architect
Lisa Gerstman, Project Architect
Hannah Zhu, Graduate of Architecture
Pearl Dempsey, Design Architect
Jack Murray, Graduate of Architecture
Oculus, Landscape Consultant
OPS Engineers, Structural Engineer
Lucid Consulting, Services Consultant
Philip Chun, Building Surveyor
Traffix, Traffic Consultant
Architecture & Access, Access Consultant
Red Fire Engineers, Fire Engineer
URPS, Town Planner
Zinc Cost Management, Cost Consultant
Buro North, Signage & Wayfinding
Acoustic Logic, Acoustic Consultant
Afflux Consulting, Water Management & Flood Modelling
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
