2017 was a milestone for the LGBTQI+ community in Australia, with the government passing the bill to legalise same-sex marriage.

That same year, the Victorian Pride Centre (VPC), a not-for-profit organisation, received funding from the Victorian state government for the country’s first purpose built LGBTQI+ centre.

VPC held an open architectural competition and two practices, BAU and GAA, were chosen for the design of the centre in St Kilda, Melbourne.

The multi-purpose space was created by and for LGBTQI+ communities, providing a public working hub, health and welfare centres, a bookshop, theatrette, archives and a gallery. 

Coined as "unfinished" to represent the never-ending struggle for equality, 2022 will witness the expansion of the centre with a café and community garden.

The main ambition for the architecture included the creation of a welcoming and safe place. But how exactly do you specify for inclusivity?

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