The local building's addition to the 2023 Vic Architecture Awards highlights the wealth of architectural talent in the state.
A stunning addition to the Bellarine, the new Queenscliff Ferry Terminal building has been awarded a commendation in the Public Architecture category at the Victorian Architecture Awards, Friday 16 June.
The new terminal development was shortlisted for three categories in the State awards including Urban Architecture, Public Architecture and Regional Prize.
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The new world-class Queenscliff ferry terminal officially opens
Dating back nearly 100 years, the Victorian Architecture Awards recognised best practices in the field and inspire others to positively shape communities through architecture. With multiple categories, the awards are a celebration of architecture in all its forms, showcasing its ability to respectfully combine community, history and innovation.
Located in Wadawurrung Country, Melbourne architect Franco Fiorentini and his team at F2 Architecture designed the impressive building, which nestles into the coastline, drawing shapes from the surrounding environment and historic buildings.
The sweeping arches frame the stunning views to Swan Island in the north, and Port Phillip Heads to the south. The elongated wings extending from the roof line offer shelter from the elements and resemble the multiple species of stingray that inhabit Port Phillip Bay.
The interior of the new facility is light and airy featuring dramatic three-metre-high ceilings and stunning feature lighting. It houses a concierge counter and retail gift store on the ground floor, along with a modern restaurant.
The first floor features a passenger lounge with multiple seating areas and the sweeping bay views, while the state-of-the-art gangway connects the ferry to the passenger lounge. At the western end, there are light filled function spaces serviced by two bars areas.
“F2 Architecture have embarked on a courageous journey to create a bold addition at the end of the Queenscliff Foreshore Reserve. The new ferry terminal offers a sense of intrigue, anticipation and excitement for passengers travelling across The Heads of Port Phillip Bay,” the Victorian Jury Citation states.
“Its heroic scale, finesse, and robust sense of shelter around the high-quality facilities within provide a heightened destination and amenity for the community and tourists alike, with sensitive landscape integration and a revegetated coastal dune.”
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It is the result of a comprehensive masterplan aimed at improving passenger capacity and efficiency of the ferry operation, increasing the range of facilities on offer, and enhancing the quality of the passenger experience.
The Searoad Ferries car and passenger ferry services the busy route between Queenscliff and Sorrento, on the southern tip of Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay. It is Australia’s busiest vehicle ferry service with over 8,200 crossings annually, carrying more than 950,000 passengers.
For more information about the new Queenscliff Ferry Terminal, or to purchase tickets, head here.
