The South Bank Grand Arbour was designed by a Melbourne-based firm Denton Corker Marshall in 1997 and completed in 1999. It has earned a lot of architecture awards. The kilometre-long Arbour is a pedestrian pathway through the South Bank precinct. The snake-shaped structure consisting of 443 steel tendrils and runs through the site. It divides the South Bank Parklands into various sized circular spaces which serve different functions, such as open space for shops, a beach, a lawn, a pond and so on.
The main feature of the Arbour is the armature of the tendrils forming the continuous contortions. The yellow lighting panels are also hung on the tendrils to create fantastic effect at night. Adding colour to the green environment of South Bank, the planting of the Arbour plays a significant role. Nine horizontal stainless steel cables pierce each tendril to support the Arbour structure and provide support for bougainvillea.
