For Maribyrnong City Council, HeineJones designed a dual-purpose sculpture, functioning as an information hub while also concealing utilities.

Dominated by foot traffic, Nicholson Street Mall is the heart of Footscray. A meeting point and thoroughfare for locals, shoppers, students, pedestrians and business-owners, it is an ideal location for permanent travel information.

HeineJones investigated ways to present directional information in a clear and relevant manner, while providing a simple, secure and discreet portal for two utilities, an irrigation control system and an electrical switchboard.

Our innovative solution was to house the utilities in an aesthetically pleasing sculpture that also provides public information. The blade-like structure’s ‘skin’ intelligently conceals the assets in a weather-resistant casing. Workers can access the utilities 24/7 via a lockable hatch and the design features an Australian Standard waterproof switchboard casing.

The sculpture is digitally printed with wayfinding colour-coded text and graphics that indicate locations and expected travel times to reach them. The structure also features a custom lighting solution that complements the Mall’s existing colours. Day or night, the lighting system ensures relevant locations, distances and anticipated travel times are visible to the public.