A slender 330-metre skyscraper, named ‘Magic’, has been designed by Decibel Architecture, with the intention of becoming a hub for science and technology for the Royal Society of Victoria.
If permitted, the 60 storey building on 1 Victoria St in Melbourne will be 7.5 metres taller than Australia’s current tallest skyscraper, the Q1 on the Gold Coast. The skyscraper design has been submitted for planning, and if approved, could be built and ready by early 2022.
The Royal Society of Australia was founded in 1854 and is a registered charity which aims to assist and encourage young scientists through community guidance. This development would be a step towards revitalising Melbourne’s 159-year-old science hub, aiming to create a flow of millions of dollars into the charity. The Royal Society of Victoria has said that this mega structure will allow them to support more science and technology clubs, develop a science engagement center and café, as well as supercharge the charity’s purpose, projects and awards programs for the next 160 years.
“The revitalised Royal Society will lead adult, student and community engagement in science across the state. Through local kids’ clubs, we will keep the flame of curiosity alive in our youngest scientists. We will offer our state a distinctive edge in the 21st century,” says Royal Society of Australia CEO, Mike Flattley.
The current building for the Royal Society of Victoria is heritage listed. The triangular plot of land is approximately half the size of a tennis court and was previously used by the Bureau of Meteorology as its city weather observation station until three years ago.
“The building proposal is currently a high-level concept – something we know we can achieve financially and structurally, as a powerful way to resource and resurrect our heritage facilities and enduring mission,” said Flattley.
The ‘Magic’ tower will push building technology to the limit and reinforce Melbourne’s leadership in science and livability. However, the current proposed height for the skyscraper will exceed the 330-metre height limit for air safety regulations.