Amidst Melbourne’s dense skyline, where glass and steel rise in orderly lines, a new form was imagined — a single tower that defies convention. Rooted in nature, its silhouette evokes a mountain rising from foothills, its form softening into twisting roots, and its peak dissolving into the lightness of a cloud. This was the vision of Southbank by Beulah, a landmark that sought to weave the city’s energy with the serenity of its natural surroundings.

At its heart, the design asks: How can architecture reconnect us with nature in the midst of the urban world? The tower responds with a gesture both organic and monumental. At its base, a series of green foothills welcomes pedestrians, leading them upward into a “mountain village” of lush terraces and cascading gardens. Above this, the tower’s twisting wooden façade rises like roots reaching skyward. Clad in transparent glass, the structure blurs the boundaries between inside and out, embracing openness and connection.

At its pinnacle is ‘the cloud’, a cantilevered structure housing public amenities — a place to gather, dine, and observe the city from 360° views. Composed of an innovative ETFE membrane, the cloud becomes ethereal, translucent at its edges, and barely visible against the sky. By day, it softens the urban skyline; by night, it becomes a glowing beacon, embodying the dreamlike connection between earth and sky.

As part of the design team at MAD Architects, I contributed to shaping this concept through a hands-on role in massing studies, testing design options, and refining the relationship between form and function. I collaborated closely with colleagues and consultants to prepare presentations, coordinate renderings, and craft detailed physical models that brought the vision to life. Communication — both internal and external — was critical, ensuring the design intent remained clear as it evolved through exploration and refinement.

This project reimagined the possibilities of urban architecture, embedding nature’s spirit into the city’s core. Southbank by Beulah became a story of connection — between people, places, and the natural world — lifting Melbourne’s skyline into the clouds.