Franny Chang

Prahran is understood to be an Aboriginal word meaning "almost surrounded by water" due to its proximity to Albert Park Lake, the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay. These bodies of water largely informed the concept behind the museum.

The three water terms - flowing, pooling and reflection, imagined as design strategies and its associated meaning in the context of a museum.
Flowing - introduction to the museum in the form of water paths, guiding the public to the exhibit whilst building anticipation
Pooling - the exhibit space wherein people gather or "pool" around exhibited artworks and stop to observe
Reflection - imaged as two opposing spaces that allow visitors to reflect upon their experience in an environment that suits them

The programs outside mirror their respective interior programs, such as the water paths guiding the external public to the entrance of the museum, while pooling is exemplified as water ponds that are nested in the middle of site. The form also presented the opportunity to include an amphitheatre, allowing for further reflection and also acting as a space for gathering and socialising.

Reflection' was envisioned as a dichotomy of spaces to accommodate the different ways in which people reflect and further explored to gain a sense of how it could be expressed architecturally. Rockpools became a solid driving force in grounding the vertical transition between the three levels, especially through the gradient of light that it creates. At the surface of the rock pool is maximum exposure to sun where all the elements are clear, however, the light diminishes as the rockpool becomes deeper.

Translating the observation of the rockpool, the top level is encompassed by a transparent shell for full sun access, implementing textured glass to create varying reflections and shadows. This strategy can spark interest and allow the visitor to engage with the space and with people around them, creating a sense of collective reflection. To contrast the light and airiness of the top level, the basement below ground utilises a rough render on the wall to emulate a cave-like environment, evoking a sense of tranquility, perhaps unfamiliarity. This may allow for more personal and individual reflection, as one can be with their thoughts.