New South Wales Projects & Sites
Darlington Public Domain – Stage 2 – University of Sydney
introduction / overview / images / location / Projects
Landscape Architect: Taylor Cullity Lethlean
Location: Maze Green , Darlington Campus, University of Sydney, Darlington
Introduction
As a result of the Campus 2010 international design competition, Taylor Cullity Lethlean were engaged by the Facilities Management Office (FMO) of the University of Sydney to design, document and provide advice during contract administration for the Darlington Campus Public Domain project.
The primary aim of the project is to provide equal and equitable access for all pedestrians to travel to and from the Shepherd Street entrance to the new USYD Central Building.
In addition to the briefs requirements this landscape scheme looks to improve the environment of the Darlington campus both environmentally and socially. Water harvesting of the local stormwater catchments to create wetlands that treat and store water for reuse such as irrigation supply to gardens and lawn. Creating new and safer public spaces within the campus and the development of a new taxonomy garden as a replacement and expansion of the existing.
The project was split into two stages, this is the second and final stage of the project
In essence this second stage of the project comprises of the following elements:
- Wetlands system and bridges adjacent to Old School building
- Upgrade to Old School building entry and surrounding gardens
- Large open lawn with hidden 150,000L storage tank
- Circular Path defining lawn area with continuous low precast concrete seat wall
- Custom reclined seats under rows of gum trees
- Granite Path linking Stage 1 works to USYD building
- Terraced forecourt to Bio Chemistry Building
- Horticultural Testing Gardens
- Taxonomy Gardens
Concept Statement – Design Competition
TCL’s winning submission, ‘Fertile Ground’ undertook to draw out two potentialities of the Sydney University Public Domain: its distinctiveness as a place of education and its character ‘as a place of simultaneous repose and movement’. As an integral part of the ‘Fertile Ground’ design concept for the Darlington Campus, a design strategy referred to as ‘Golden Grove’ was developed by Paul Carter, which gives material expression to these aspirations. But it also offers much more: based on extensive research into the many-layered human and natural associations of the site, Golden Grove articulates the mythic identity of the site, providing a template for future invention and encouraging the consolidation of collective identity.
Fertile Ground
Site: The first maps of Sydney identify the Sydney University site as ‘Kangaroo Ground”. This suggestion of hunting ground and source of produce is further reinforced by the allocation of the land to Lt Grose for farming. Thus its early name of Grose Farm. This continuous association of the University Site with productivity and growth marks it as fertile ground.
Concept: The history of fertility of the site suggests a future landscape that is both environmentally sustainable and one which is a fertile ground for reflection, socialisation and imagination, a place where the productive and sustainable cultivation of the land is a setting for the cultivation of the mind.
Application : The site is envisioned as a place that will become a model of urban sustainability.
Building on the site’s association with fertile ground the campus will recycle and purify water. The Public Domain Landscape is productive in its capture, purification, storage and re-use of water which would otherwise flow directly off-site.
introduction / overview / images / location / Projects
2010
