Molonglo

The Allara Street kiosks in Canberra’s eastern CBD reimagine the classic retail kiosk as a series of small garden buildings that acknowledge architecture, the pedestrian, established trees and new native landscape as being of equal importance. Molonglo commissioned London-based architects Royffe Flynn to design the kiosks, communal and planted spaces alongside Mark Paine Landscaping, Pro Plant Supplies and Eifer Construction.

The kiosks were created with the belief that small is beautiful; both aesthetically and ideologically. Their size makes them more accessible to independent and experimental operators that are rarely accorded an entire building; a shop or studio that might otherwise be closed off is made visible. Their scale creates an intimacy that allows for more informal and accessible interactions with visitors, passersby and neighbours, and a greater exchange between plants and architecture. Together, these elements create more layers, diversity and granularity to an otherwise quiet street.

The kiosks tread lightly on the existing surrounds, intersecting established exotic trees and breaking down existing perimeters with new, mostly native, plantings; creating a permeable yet intimate public outdoor space with many little nooks. The landscaping references the many Brutalist public spaces in Canberra by incorporating washed exposed aggregate cast concrete.

Molonglo’s work over the years has taught us to place importance on the smallest of interventions. While modest compared to our other projects, we have dedicated the same level of care as we would a large project. We hope they will be proof of what small yet considered development can achieve.

33 Allara is no longer managed by Molonglo. The building was sold in early 2022.