Lead Design Consultant JMD design

Design Team JMD design, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Taylor Lethlean, and Gehl Architects

Consultants Callum Morton, SDA Structures, Funktion, Lighting Art + Science, Dharug Aboriginal Corporation, City of Parramatta ATSI Advisory Committee, Regal, Fresh Landscapes

The public domain design for the new Parramatta Square by the JMDd led team came first and set a framework for the ensuing buildings. The project delivered a new identity to the public realm through a human focused, inclusive approach that reflects the rich history and diverse population of Parramatta. The square is generously vegetated, detailed in quality materials designed for the long term and seamlessly delivers diverse user needs whilst integrating and co-ordinating a complex array of technical, programmatic and operational requirements.

Engaged by Walker Corporation in 2017 following the concept design by JMDd, TCL, TZG and Gehl (2015-2017), JMDd coordinated the interface between six large footprint towers, a new civic centre, a heritage town hall and a public square we developed design led technical strategies to ensure a coherent public domain true to its design vision with an unrelenting focus on the civic. JMD design worked with the developer team, Council specialists, internal stakeholders, consultants and Community Committees to develop clear strategies that would guide the works to come and allow the public domain design to be achieved. Noting the potential for such a long project with numerous construction teams and agendas to lose sight of the importance of the public domain.

Strategic design measures include a green edge to the southern sunny side of the square, integrated seating and varied planting that mediate the scale of adjacent buildings, and continuous sheltered walkways connecting civic frontages. Quality natural materials were chosen for their longevity whilst efficiencies were gained by the use of a modular design and a rationalised lighting and night time circulation. The design provides varied seating, power and charging at tables and accommodates temporary furniture to support events and flexible daily use, allowing the Square to be configured in a myriad of ways according to use, climate and programming keeping the civic front of mind throughout.

Parramatta Square generates a rich local identity that accommodates the indigenous community, students, the general public, community groups, office workers, library and civic visitors, commuters, shoppers and the interested. The project seamlessly delivered diverse user needs whilst integrating and co-ordinating a complex array of technical, programmatic and operational requirements. Stormwater design and flooding mitigation strategies were put in place to ensure suitable grades and drainage for the square whist retaining barrier free threshold to buildings, Vehicular circulation and soil depths strategies were developed to allow the site wide soil void between the basement and the square to be economically constructed, Further strategies were developed to address meaningful indigenous involvement, heritage fabric and interpretation, servicing, signage, DDA, public art, lighting, emergency response, crowd management and safety. Multiple and complex technical strategies were developed around the urban design vision and allowed both the spatial ambition for the square and the finished quality to be achieved.

Parramatta Square functions as a civic platform for the city, linking a transport hub, workplaces and cultural buildings allowing the commuter and visitor to feel equally well catered for through a robust, inclusive public domain designed for long-term performance and social value. The project demonstrates the capacity of landscape architecture to be a powerful agent in urban transformation.