Public art mosaics in Melbourne

Mosaic Republic makes public art mosaics for councils and public spaces across Melbourne. From our Moorabbin studio we made the wayfinding mosaic outside Sandringham Station for Bayside Council (2024), two footpath mosaics on Chapel Street, Windsor for Stonnington Council (2017), and a topographic map mosaic at Jells Park (2021).

Our public mosaics are the kind people walk on, play on and find their way by: footpaths, station forecourts, playgrounds and retail strips. Our work is made by Italian-trained, qualified mosaic artisans in our studio and installed by our own Melbourne team.

Public mosaics we've made

Mosaic Republic has made public mosaics for councils, landscape architects and community organisations across Melbourne.

Sandringham Station wayfinding mosaic (2024)

Mosaic Republic made the wayfinding mosaic outside Sandringham Station for Bayside Council in 2024. It is a single circle, 2,500 mm in diameter (about 4.9 sqm), made for wayfinding.

Sandringham Station wayfinding mosaic

First Step St Kilda mosaic sculpture and signage (2024)

Mosaic Republic made a mosaic sculpture and room signage for First Step in St Kilda in 2024, commissioned by First Step. Inspired by First Step's branding, the sculpture is a flower growing out of the ground, with eight circular mosaics as its petals. Each petal carries the names of sponsors who donated to the organisation. Seven smaller circular mosaics are used inside as room signs, each with the room's name laser etched into the smalti. Together the 15 mosaic circles cover about 1.1 sqm.

First Step St Kilda mosaic

Peter Scullin Reserve water play feature (2023)

Mosaic Republic made the mosaic water play feature for the Peter Scullin Reserve playground in 2023, for Kingston Council. The concept is by artist Katherine Masiulanis of Leaf Design Studio. Mosaic Republic made the mosaic to her concept, in an irregular shape of about 3 sqm. The playground was built by Yellowstone Landscaping.

Peter Scullin Reserve water play feature

Jells Park playground mosaic map (2021)

Mosaic Republic made a topographic mosaic map of the Dandenong Creek area, with local flora and fauna, for the Jells Park playground in 2021. We were engaged by landscape architect FFLA (Fitzgerald Frisby Landscape Architecture), and the landscaper was Red Centre. The map is a single circle, 6 m in diameter (about 28 sqm).

Jells Park playground mosaic map

Chapel Street, Windsor footpath artworks (2017)

Mosaic Republic made two footpath mosaics on Chapel Street, Windsor for Stonnington Council in 2017. They pay tribute to Chapel Street's cafe culture and nightlife. Each is a round mosaic 2 m in diameter, about 6.3 sqm in total.

Chapel Street, Windsor footpath mosaics

Hampton Street, Hampton precinct mosaics and maps (2015)

Mosaic Republic made twelve mosaics along Hampton Street, Hampton for Bayside Council in 2015: nine precinct signs and three wayfinding maps. The nine signs, each 300 x 1,200 mm (3.24 sqm in total), identify the different precincts of the retail strip. The maps are one full map of 3,200 x 1,200 mm and two half maps of 1,600 x 1,200 mm each (3.84 sqm in total).

Hampton Street precinct mosaics

Why mosaic works in public spaces

Mosaic suits public spaces because it can be walked on and played on, as our footpath and playground works are. Some ancient floor mosaics are still functional today.

Our work is made by qualified mosaic artisans and installed by our own Melbourne team.

How a public art commission works with us

A public art commission follows the same six steps as all our work.

1. Brief. We listen to the site, use, budget range, references and constraints, with a site visit where needed.

2. Design. Concept drawings and material direction, refined until the design fits the place and the brief.

3. Materials. Marble, stone, glass smalti, porcelain and specialty materials, with samples and mock-ups where the project needs them.

4. Making. Hand-cut and set in the Moorabbin or Italian atelier by qualified mosaic artisans.

5. Install. Professional installation by our Melbourne team, including outdoor works and complex site conditions.

6. Care. Simple maintenance guidance so the work ages well.

Councils and landscape architects often bring the brief and any approvals that sit with them. We work alongside them through design, making and install.

our process

Who we work with

Mosaic Republic works with councils, landscape architects, landscapers, artists and community organisations.

• Councils: Bayside Council, Stonnington Council and Kingston Council

• Community organisations: First Step

• Landscape architects: FFLA

• Artists: Katherine Masiulanis of Leaf Design Studio

• Landscapers: Yellowstone Landscaping and Red Centre

Frequently asked questions

Do you make mosaics for councils and public spaces?

Yes. Mosaic Republic has made the Sandringham Station wayfinding mosaic (2024) and the Hampton Street precinct mosaics and maps (2015) for Bayside Council, the Chapel Street, Windsor footpath mosaics (2017) for Stonnington Council, and the Peter Scullin Reserve water play feature (2023) for Kingston Council. We also made the Jells Park playground map (2021) and the First Step St Kilda sculpture and signage (2024).

What kinds of public mosaics do you make?

Our public work includes footpath mosaics on Chapel Street, Windsor; wayfinding maps at Sandringham Station and along Hampton Street; playground features at Jells Park and Peter Scullin Reserve; and mosaic sculpture and signage for First Step in St Kilda. Each is made by qualified mosaic artisans in our Moorabbin studio.

Do you design the artwork as well as make it?

Yes. Mosaic Republic designs public artworks and also makes mosaics from other people's designs. Peter Scullin Reserve is an example of the second: we made the mosaic to a concept by artist Katherine Masiulanis of Leaf Design Studio.

Who installs it?

Our own Melbourne-based team professionally installs Mosaic Republic's mosaic projects, including floors, outdoor works and complex site conditions. The mosaics themselves are hand-cut and set in our Moorabbin or Italian atelier by qualified mosaic artisans.

Can a mosaic include local stories, flora and fauna or maps?

Yes. At Jells Park, Mosaic Republic made a topographic map of the Dandenong Creek area featuring local flora and fauna. On Hampton Street, our mosaic signs identify the different precincts along the retail strip, and our two Chapel Street mosaics pay tribute to the street's cafe culture and nightlife.

How long does a public art mosaic last, and how is it maintained?

We don't publish a fixed lifespan. Mosaic is a durable craft: some ancient floor mosaics are still functional today. Care depends on the materials, the location and how the work is used, and we advise on maintenance at handover.

How much does a public artwork cost?

We don't publish prices. Scope and price are confirmed with your brief. To get started, tell us about the site, how the work will be used, your budget range, and any references or constraints.

Talk to us about a public artwork

Planning a public artwork? Send us the site and the brief.