Western Australian Sites
Scarborough Beach
Urban Design Master Plan Stages 1 & 4
intro / overview / images / plans / location
Landscape Architects: Blackwell & Associates PTY LTD
location: Scarborough Beach, Perth
Scarborough Beach has long been a popular destination for tourists and Western Australians alike. However, the beachfront was in decline, the infrastructure was run down and anti-social behaviour had become a major problem. The Scarborough Beach Urban Design Master Plan prepared by Blackwell & Associates and endorsed by the City of Stirling in 2005 outlined a logical sequence of stages for the progressive redevelopment of the Scarborough Beach waterfront area.
The initial development involved the improvement of the beachfront, reintroduction of the dune system at the western termination of Scarborough Beach Road, the upgrading of car parking and al fresco areas along the northern extent of The Esplanade and the creation of a unique and robust amphitheatre.
The intent was to reinvigorate the urban environment and concentrate community activity in the centrepiece of the Master Plan, a world-class multifunction amphitheatre, planned to become home to all manner of events ranging from small community orientated ceremonies, to state, national and international sporting and entertainment events.
The City’s successful bid to host the National Surf Life Saving Championships for the years 2007-09 dictated a critical milestone for practical completion. This was further complicated by significant brief changes during late documentation stages and throughout construction.
For example, at the outset of the project the amphitheatre was seen merely as a passive recreation facility, this role changed significantly during the course of the design development and even documentation and construction phases. To this extent the amphitheatre design had to be progressively modified to not only meet BCA theatre/venue standards but also the lighting had to be upgraded to suit night time beach volleyball as well as provide emergency exit lighting and low lux step lighting. The massive, soaring shade structure endured significant design alterations to incorporate pedestrian and event lighting thereby reducing visual and physical clutter at ground level.
This involved Blackwell & Associates working closely with Planet Lighting in NSW to develop up a new LED “puck” lighting system that would meet the abovementioned safety requirements without drawing particular attention to these readily accessible light fittings – considering the likely consequences re vandalism.
Whilst the overall approach to the known social conditions involved heavily case hardening all aspects of the work the design also included a fully integrated active CCTV system. The majority of furniture items were custom designed and constructed from 316 stainless steel to ensure longevity.
Client: City of Stirling
Key Personnel: Tony Blackwell – Project Leader
Budget: $10,000,000
Project Engineers: GHD
Irrigation Design: Hydroplan
Sail Shade: Sail Shades
Contractor: WORKS Infrastructure
Completion Date: January 2007
intro / overview / images / plans / location
April 2008
