Wellness Garden, Deakin University

Students returning to in-person learning will find a calm place to relax, study and collaborate, with a garden and custom furniture designed by SBLA Studio for the Burwood campus in Melbourne, Victoria on the land of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung People.

SBLA Creative Director Simone Bliss says “the vision for the Deakin University Wellness Garden was to create a place for pause and retreat on campus. Shade and shelter from the large canopy trees and tea tree shelters, planted arbours and a rock formed water feature mirrors the adjacent Bouverie creek.”

“SBLA designed a series of custom benches to tie in with the SBLA-designed arbour and tea tree shelters. The seats were designed to be generous in width to create places for students to lay and rest. GPO points were integral to the design of the seating elements.”

The custom benches and seats, designed by SBLA, were manufactured by Street Furniture Australia. The seating is a reflection of its peaceful surroundings in the garden, with eco-certified hardwood battens and frames powder coated in custom Shoji White.

Bliss says the project has been a great success with the community; “They love it! The garden is growing and evolving as more staff and students return to campus to enjoy it.”