Darling Quarter
This transformational project saw ASPECT Studios create much-needed open public space for families, residents and tourists on the Sydney waterfront.
Located on Darling Harbour, one of Australia’s most-visited tourist destinations, the 1.5-hectare Darling Quarter comprises office towers and retail buildings knitted into place by a landscape designed by ASPECT Studios.
Located on Darling Harbour, one of Australia’s most-visited tourist destinations, the 1.5-hectare Darling Quarter comprises office towers and retail buildings knitted into place by a landscape designed by ASPECT Studios.
The heart of that landscape is the largest playground in the Sydney CBD. Bursting with details that encourage play and invite exploration, the playground contains a mix of familiar play equipment and less prescriptive play objects, spread across a modulated terrain. An interactive water play feature winds its way throughout the playground, underpinning a design philosophy that makes room for “acceptable risk” in spaces intended for the use of children.
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- Traditional Owners & Ongoing Custodians of the Land The Gadigal of the Eora Nation
- Client Property NSW / Lendlease
- Location Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Year 2007–2011
Around the park, a terraced community green acts as an unprogrammed green space for families and workers to relax and recreate. Pedestrian connections to neighbouring streets have been reengineered to collect activity in these community spaces. A civic water feature and indigenous tree planting delineate the route between the city centre and Tumbalong Park, with a series of messages inscribed in the pavement narrating the historical context of Darling Harbour.
An existing melaleuca grove was retained and protected with new concrete walls and steps at the perimeter. New benches and moveable furniture make the grove itself an extension of the neighbouring community green and playground.
Darling Quarter sets a new benchmark for Darling Harbour by embodying a number of highly sustainable initiatives. It provides a family focused core both for city dwellers, particularly those in neighbouring Pyrmont and Chinatown, and a magnet for tourists with its parklands and retail offerings
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- TEAM ASPECT Studios, Lendlease, FJMT, David Eager, Hyder, Waterforms International, Deuce Design, Speirs + Major, ARUP, Ramus Illumination, Warren Smith and Partners
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AWARDS
2013 Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW Architecture Awards - The Lloyd Rees Award for Outstanding Urban Design
2013 Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW Architecture Awards - The City of Sydney Lord Mayor's Prize
2012 Australia Award for Urban Design; Large Scale
2012 IFLA APR Award; President’s Award in Landscape Design
2012 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards - Category of Public Playspaces Over $1M
2012 Australia Award for Urban Design - Delivered Outcome - large scale category
2011 AILA NSW Awards – Excellence Award for Design - PHOTOGRAPHY Florian Groehn, John Marmaras
