Design Matters

The design dialogue is strong at NBRS, and we enjoy working through current topics challenging our built environment. Regularly our design minded people get together to address a design problem. The sessions are called DESIGN MATTERS and this month we examined the renewed interest in an urban plaza in front of Sydney Town Hall. What would the space need; what’s its purpose; who would it serve; how could it represent what Sydney is all about?

Prominent civic spaces the world over have been created around significant public buildings. Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision coined the concept idea of three linked city squares, Town Hall Square connected to both Circular Quay and Central Square via George Street. The growing momentum to create a new civic open space at Town Hall, right at the epicenter of the city, for celebration and gathering, has ignited our team’s imagination to find creative solutions. Putting aside real estate hurdles, the short design exercise saw the team address considerations such as heritage legacy; sustainability initiatives; diversity; activity; safety; human scale; natural environment and commercial assets. The dialogue produced some exciting ideas for a vibrant urban space in the heart of Sydney.