The symbolic place and meeting point of all the inhabitants of Melbourne is the famous Federation Square. This unique square is the place where entertainment, culture and the desire to gather of the entire city are concentrated. In short, it is the heart of Melbourne, where important cultural and artistic events are staged. Federation Square is also the hub of tourist services and the original location of many restaurants, bars and shops. It covers an entire block (38,000 square metres) and its architecture has won numerous international awards. The project was designed by Lab architecture studio in collaboration with Australian architects Bates Smart. For the interior of the Ian Potter Centre, architects Peter Davidson and Donald Bates were awarded the RAIA National Award for Interior Design. The plaza was opened in 2002.
