The 2 Girls Building in Melbourne, Australia is an inspired and innovative building that fuses art, photography and architecture.
What is exciting about this project is that it explores the relationship between the three disciplines and blurs their respective boundaries resulting in one craft overlapping and appropriating with the characteristics of the others in the form of a new medium. By using cleverly the structural qualities of the structure it interacts with passersby and introduces a dynamic contrast to the surrounding setting. Architecture becomes photography, photography becomes architecture and the building becomes a hybrid urban landmark.
It is the work of local practice KUD architects in collaboration with Australian photographer Samantha Everton as they fused their creative fields to from a striking contemporary space.
“The collaboration injected another layer of complexity, unintentionally exchanging and swapping the roll of the architect to artist and the artist to architect. The boundaries of the alliance were blurred, redefining ‘the artist’ and ‘the architect’ as one expression. This synergy spawned a hybrid typology and ensured that the photo‐archi‐art prevailed” according to KUD architects’ team.
Undoubtedly the defining element of the building is the photographic facade skin spanning across the length of the building. Straddling across the length of the building is Everton’s artwork titled “The Masquerade” from her “Vintage Dolls” series. The particular image was specifically selected for its familiar vernacular in its subject matter which is synonymous with inner city traditional domestic spaces and more importantly, for the drama and theatre it provides to the public realm
The striking image illustrating two young girls emerged into surrealistic scenery forms a living skin on the building exterior, while the finishing touch is the addition of a third dimension created by a three-storey tall lamp structure that resembles the floor lamp found on the original photo.
Yet part from the remarkable exterior, the inspired interior is equally artistic and captivating. The primary circulation space doubles as a de facto art gallery with art works on display, dividing the offices, warehouse spaces and residential apartments. Enjoy a virtual tour of the wonderful 2 Girls building in the photo gallery below.
