Harbour Park

Harbour Park Design was a competition organized by the New South Wales government of Sydney to design a 1.85-hectare park on the foreshore at Central Barangaroo.

The proposal is rooted in our recognition that the project is situated on Gadigal Country, the land of the Grass Tree. This place holds a unique culture, people, and Country, and it is this essence that we aim to capture in the park’s design. What can be marked here exists in a space that lies between history and culture.

Our objective is to immerse citizens in nature. That’s why our work begins with the understanding that we are above the water, and the land on which we are working was once part of the Harbour. The forest and the city have influenced our design, intertwining their lines with the forces of nature. The park features a colonnade acting as a gateway that opens towards Nature.

Amidst the pavement, water emerges, rising and falling with the tides. This ebb and flow serve as the foundation of our poetic and artistic proposal. Over time, the city’s lines will be completely absorbed by a new wilderness, creating a free space for trees and unfinished paths.

We envision this place to be lush, overgrown, and filled with the scent of fresh air. It will offer enriching experiences that go beyond the intended purpose, playing with the brief to develop something more profound. People will discover their connection as an integral part of nature. They will pause from the hustle of the city to embrace their true essence. It is a place for play, celebration, ceremonies, contemplation, learning, and coexistence with birds and insects. The spaces within the park are flexible, allowing for experimentation, and they are surrounded by trees, with sandstone blocks that can be used as benches or tables.
We have been shortlisted to proceed to the stage 2 of Sydney’s Harbour Park Design Competition. Unfortunately we didn’t win, but we want to congratulate the winning team of Akin.

We thank our entire team:

Angelo Candalepas and Associates – Architecture

Jonathan Jones – Artist

Michaelie Crawford – Art Curator

Michael Hromek – WSP Indigenous Specialist Services

Josh Brown – JB Aboriginal Strategy

Secchi Smith – Renders