Our Projects

Photo credit: Localite, 2022

  • Tarneit Pedestrian Corridor, 2022
    Client:     Wyndham City Council
    Role:     Opportunity identification, design & delivery

    Localite transformed a car-dominated street into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment within a tight timeframe for Wyndham City Council. Using repurposed shipping containers, we created a colourful 90-meter protected footpath, doubling as a canvas for local mural art. The result? A brighter, safer, and more inviting journey from Leakes Road to Tarneit Train Station.

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Photo credit: Artificial Studios, 2022

  • Alfrieda Street Masterplan Consultation, 2022
    Client: Brimbank City Council
    Role: Planning & Delivery

    Working alongside Brimbank City Council and Chatterbox, Localite designed a vibrant event program to attract community participation during an important consultation period for the Alfrieda Street streetscape upgrade. We created an energetic street party vibe that drew in a diverse crowd for engagement and feedback. This success led to a wealth of responses that will guide the future masterplan for this commercial hub.

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Illustration: Localite, 2022

  • Clarke Street Classic Car Show, Sunshine, 2023
    Client: Brimbank City Council
    Role: Vision, strategic guidance and delivery

    A strategic initiative led by Brimbank City Council in collaboration with Localite and Road Kings Motorcycle and Car Club. This community-focused event will debut in July 2023 and convert an underused car park into a recurring festive gathering, with classic cars as the main attraction.

    The Car Show has three objectives: fostering local connections, attracting visitors, and promoting the unique character of Clarke Street and Sunshine. By encouraging local engagement and interaction, it aims to strengthen community bonds. It will showcase local businesses, boosting the local economy by drawing in outside visitors interested in classic cars. The event will also spotlight Sunshine's vibrant culture, repositioning it as a rich and inviting destination.

    Localite has been engaged to establish a sustainable framework for this event, leading its first iteration. As a recurring event, the Car Show is expected to have positive impacts on the community and local businesses, reinforcing Sunshine as a dynamic community hub. This innovative use of public space illustrates the transformative power of community events in redefining Sunshine as a local destination.

Illustration: Localite, 2023

  • Suffolk Road Streetscape Upgrade Grant Application, Sunshine North, 2022
    Role: Grant application writing & concept Illustration.

    The Suffolk Road Streetscape Upgrade aimed to revitalise a small suburban shopping strip in Sunshine North by improving public amenities, fostering local businesses, and promoting pedestrian safety. A grant application was crafted to seek funding for these streetscape enhancements, influenced by the successful Sunshine West 20-minute Neighbourhood pilot program.

    Previous community engagement had identified challenges such as car-dominated environments, lack of greenery, and neglected shopfronts. In response, Council trialled temporary improvements like street beautification and outdoor dining extensions, receiving positive feedback from traders. The grant application proposed permanent improvements like wider footpaths, improved cycling infrastructure, and a greener street environment.

    The project was awarded a Living Local Grant of $200,000 from the state government, with Brimbank City Council leading the final design and implementation. Localite's role was pivotal in securing these funds through the grant application and concept design stages.

Behind the scenes

Photo credit: Brimbank City Council, 2021

  • Glengala Village, Sunshine West, 2021
    Brimbank City Council
    Role: Planning, design and delivery (while employed at Council)

    As part of the 20-minute neighbourhood pilot program, the project employed tactical urbanism to boost local identity, support businesses, and enhance public spaces. Key interventions included street greening with new planters and trees, the introduction of a pop-up park and an outdoor dining parklet, shopfront renewals, and an 80m road mural that breathes life into the precinct.

    The project’s success stemmed from the collaborative process involving local traders, who actively participated in choosing the mural design and shaping the area's new look. The Glengala Road project also echoed the broader objectives of the Council's COVID response, seeking a swift recovery for local town centres in the face of the pandemic.

    Fast forward to 2023, the principles tested during this pilot project are being integrated into a permanent street redesign. This exciting development exemplifies the transformative power of tactical urbanism, proving its capability to inspire meaningful and long-lasting changes in urban landscapes. The re-imagination of Glengala Village is a testament to the community's resilience.

Photo credit: Alexander Albrecht, 2023

  • Dickens Street Pop-Up Park, Balaclava, 2023
    Role: Concept design (while employed at Council)

    Dickens Street Pop-Up Park is a vibrant public space transformation in Balaclava. The City of Port Phillip delivered the project through its Economic Growth and Activation Team.

    The project involved converting 10 underutilised parking spaces into a colourful and versatile public space featuring plantings, artistic elements, bicycle racks, additional seating, and a basketball hoop. The pop-up park significant enhanced the area's look and feel, adding colour and fun to the streetscape.

    Developed through consultation and with the support of the nearby St Kilda Primary School, the project highlights the value of community collaboration in public space creation, particularly in an area identified as one with the lowest amount of open space (5% compared to a municipal average of 17%).

Photo credit: Localite, 2022

  • Sun Crescent Pop-Up Community Space, 2022
    Client: Brimbank City Council
    Role: Planning and design

    Infusing sunshine into Sunshine, this project sought the transformation of an underutilised private car park into a lively outdoor community space in Sunshine, Victoria.

    Brimbank City Council, landowners, and local businesses collaborated in a unique partnership to create this addition. Vibrant colours and art, inspired by the local community, along with modular seating options, transformed this location into a thriving social hub that has boosted the local economy.

    Led by Council, designed by Raul and brought to life by Village Well (villagewell.org), this project helped enliven the quieter end of the Sunshine Activity Centre during a period of sustained lockdowns.

    Its success paved the way for positive impacts on businesses like Noon Restaurant, co-founded by two Somali immigrants. The initiative diversified their offerings and attracted a wider audience.

    This project showcased the immense potential of converting car-centric spaces into community hubs. Since its opening event in July 2022, the Sun Crescent Pop-Up Community Space has been a testament to the power of design in uniting communities and invigorating local economies.

Photo credit: Shalome Pinto, 2023

  • Love My Place Grants Program, 2022-23
    City of Port Phillip
    Role: Program coordination and facilitation (While employed at Council)

    The "Love My Place Grants Program" (LMP) is now a consolidated and well-known funding program by the City of Port Phillip. LMP was designed to invigorate public spaces within the city, foster creativity, community engagement, and support urban innovation.

    In essence, LMP aims to transform public spaces through unique events, experimental installations, and artistic expressions. The program encourages community members to pilot their innovative ideas that create an active and vibrant city space. Council provides financial support of up to $15,000 and technical advice from Council officers in different relevant areas.

    As part of the Economic Growth and Activation team, Raul coordinated and facilitated the program, including a full redesign of the evaluation process, methodology, and jury panel facilitation.

    As a result, 10 creative activation projects were funded and delivered between December 2022 and June 2023.

    Featured: Dance Dance by Shalome Pinto
    A project that creatively transformed Acland Plaza into a lively outdoor dance space, serving as an outlet for self-expression and creativity.

    Art Illustrator : Aaron Pinto @kidsquidy
    Project facilitated by : HD Entertainment     @hdentertainment_au

Photo credit: Mexbourne, 2022

  • Summer Sessions 2022-23
    City of Port Phillip
    Role: Curation and coordination (While employed at Council)

    The 'Summer Sessions 2022-23' was an expansive activation program delivered by Council and designed to enliven the city, celebrate the local community and enhance the experience at the many local shopping hubs across the City of Port Phillip.

    From December to March, approximately 100 live performances brought vibrancy and life to public spaces, simultaneously supporting local artists and businesses.

    The artist lineup was a proud representation of cultural diversity, with more than 50% of the participating artists being of First Nations origin. Further emphasising local talent, over 75% of Summer Session artists were local to Port Phillip, many selected from the evergrowing Live N Local Featured Artist Database.

    From the bubbling opening at Acland Plaza, graced by the likes of Darren Clinch, Canisha C-K, Mexbourne, and the whimsical Dr Hubble, to performances scattered across Albert Park, South Melbourne, Ripponlea, Elwood, Fitzroy Street (St Kilda), and Port Melbourne, the program invigorated public spaces and provided a platform for local artists.

    The 'Summer Sessions' provided a substantial boost to local musicians and artists, attracting additional foot traffic to local traders, and enhancing the city's social fabric and local economy.