One of Australia's most visited destinations, the redevelopment of Darling Quarter's public domain was a major place-making transformation project for Sydney. In addition to two major commercial buildings and a retail terrace, the 1.5 hectare project includes a public park, the focal point for large gatherings, with strong connections to the city, the harbour and Chinatown. There is also a new pedestrian street, and a 4000 sqm centrepiece in the largest children's play space in the Sydney CBD. The unique water play area was designed to bring Darling Harbour's industrial heritage to the fore and establishes Darling Quarter as a regional destination.
DESIGN DESCRIPTION
The first key to transforming Darling Quarter was the creation of two bold north-south and east-west pedestrian links connecting the precinct to Sydney city, Chinatown and Cockle Bay (Darling harbour). Activated by cafes and retail activities, they become the framework for the public domain design.
The second key, vital for the establishment of a high quality family-centric precinct, was to recognise that the public spaces must support family activities and allow social interaction between families and other users.
Darling Quarter's unique play space creates an adventurous, innovative and highly interactive play experience. Its design recalls Darling Harbour's historic waterfront landscape setting by creating an intricately detailed abstracted river environment.
Extensive research led to beautifully crafted water play elements being sourced from Germany and used in Australia for the first time. Sluice gates, hand pumps and an Archimedes screw allow children to direct water movement up and through channels back into a myriad of sculptural concrete streams folded in a highly sculpted landscape.
Synchronised water jets, switches, lock gates, water wheels and boulders also contribute to the overall experience and allow children to immerse themselves in the cause and effect of water movement.
The water play area is complemented by a 'dry' playground space that features sand pits, a flying fox, giant climbing nets and huge family slides built for group use. Amenities such as a café, shade structures and stepped seating areas for parents and carers are integrated into this unfenced public domain.
Throughout the play spaces, interaction with nature and natural materials is fundamental. Artificial materials such as rubber surfaces are minimised. Play experiences include a wide array of physical sensations which are challenging, encourage development of agility and strength, and include an acceptable level of risk to engender a culture of children taking manageable risks through play. The play elements can be used in multiple ways by individuals or groups to promote social and cooperative play, and the overall environment is one where children choose the types of play activities appropriate for them.
Throughout Darling Quarter there is a strong focus on social and environmental sustainability. Rainwater is harvested in a 300,000 litre storage tank and distributed throughout the public domain for irrigation and water features. A new, energy efficient lighting strategy creates night-time ambience and activation. The post-top lights use the best technology available, energy efficient lights, and a dimming system that reduces energy consumption by 60 per cent as compared to the previous precinct's lights.
ASPECT Studios also designed two green roof terraces and community gardens as part of the precinct's new 6 Star Green Star rated Commonwealth Bank Australia building and for use by the 6,000 bank staff. These rooftops include an informal indoor-outdoor meeting area, with a breakout and entertainment facility allowing staff to participate in community gardening activities, barbecue, eat, work or relax in the garden settings on the western edge of the buildings.
ACCOLADES
International Federation of Landscape Architects, Presidents Award 2012
Urban Land Institute, Global Award for Excellence, Landscape Public Domain 2012
Australian Institute Of Landscape Architects (NSW), Design Excellence Award 2012
Planning Institute of Australia, Australia Award for Urban Design 2012
International Property Awards Asia Pacific, including Mixed Use Design, Mixed Use Development, Leisure Development 2012
NSW Urban Taskforce, Development Excellence Award, Best Commercial Development 2012
Parks and Leisure Australia (NSW) Award of Excellence 2012
CIBSE Commissioning Project of the Year 2011
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Design Award 2011
Australian Property Institute (NSW), Environmental Award, 2011
Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards, Public Playspaces Over $1M 2012
PRODUCTS
PEDESTRIAN BOULEVARD PAVEMENT
AUSTRAL, VICTORIA BLUE
BALANCING BLOCKS
SYDNEY HARBOUR FORESHORE AUTHORITY, SALVAGED SANDSTONE
LARGE CABLEWAY
KOMPAN TIMBER, GALVANISED STEEL
GIANT SWING WITH BIRDS NEST
KOMPAN GALVANISED STEEL, BLUE ROPE
CUSTOM CLIMBING VALLEY & LARGE NETS
COROCORD/KOMPAN GALVANISED STEEL, BLUE ROPE
WATER SWITCH & LOCK GATE, ARCHIMEDES SCREW, SMALL WATER BUCKET
RICHTER SPIELGERATE/KOMPAN STAINLESS STEEL
PLAYGROUND PUMP
RICHTER SPIELGERATE/KOMPAN GALVANISED STEEL
WATER SCOOPING WHEEL, MUSHROOM PUMP, WATER TRAYS
RICHTER SPIELGERATE/KOMPAN STAINLESS STEEL
SAND DIGGER
CONLASTIC PLAYROPE STAINLESS STEEL
WATER OUTLET
ASPECT STUDIOS & WATERFORMS INTERNATIONAL STAINLESS STEEL
LARGE & SMALL STAINLESS STEEL SLIDE
ASPECT STUDIOS
TABLE TENNIS
ASPECT STUDIOS PRECAST CONCRETE, PERFORATED METAL
WATER FEATURE CLADDING
ASPECT STUDIOS PRECAST CONCRETE
TODDLER WATER PLAY
ASPECT STUDIOS PRECAST CONCRETE, SALVAGED SANDSTONE
BALANCING BEAMS
ASPECT STUDIOS, AUSTRALIAN HARDWOOD TIMBER
WATERPLAY PLINTH
ASPECT STUDIOS PRECAST CONCRETE
TIMBER SQUARE BENCH TOWN & PARK FURNITURE
METRO TABLE SEAT
PLAYGROUND BENCH & GARDEN FURNITURE
SIT BENCH FOLDED PERFORATED METAL SHEET
BENCH 2
ASPECT STUDIOS GALVANISED STEEL FRAME, SPOTTED GUM TIMBER, PRE-CAST CONCRETE
CIVIC CONNECTOR PAVEMENT
VICTORIAN BLUESTONE QUARRIES, AUSTRALIAN BLUESTONE STONEVUE/CONCRETE UNIT PAVING SHOT BLASTED FINISH
INTERPRETIVE PAVEMENT
INLAY DEUCE DESIGN PRECAST CONCRETE, MARINE BRONZE
WATER FEATURE
ASPECT STUDIOS & WATERFORMS INTERNATIONAL PRECAST CONCRETE, CERAMIC TILES
