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Connecting Sydney’s CBD to Barangaroo
In the heart of Sydney sits Wynyard Walk, a fully accessible pedestrian link focused on fluidity. Using large, sinuous volumes of space without any physical interruptions for pedestrians to walk in, the design challenges the perception of a commute by shifting the emphasis from efficiency of travel to the quality of experience.
The most impressive feat of the site is that it cuts the walk from Wynyard Station to the Barangaroo waterfront from 15 minutes down to six by avoiding steep inclines and road crossings in the city’s central business district.
Talk to John Prentice about Rail
The design concept draws on the natural geology of the Sydney Basin, with its landscape of deep cliffs, gorges, beaches and estuaries carved by erosion. This inspired certain materials, such as concrete and stone to ground the project, while lighter elements such as glass and metal provide airy canopies that filter natural and artificial light.
To anticipate how people would act in this space, they considered how people follow the path of least resistance when they are in water. To promote linear movement, certain materials and detailing such as LED strip lighting and transparent glass panels were incorporated for wayfinding. The shape of the canopy was parametrically designed and tested in wind models to safeguard it for weather protection while allowing fresh air and natural light in.
Currently, the station digests about 20,000 commuters an hour. The western portal and glass canopy acts as the most visible landmarks of the project, increasing traffic capacity of the station to meet current and future demands.
The full design plan also injects other developments to make the site more cohesive. In addition to the nine-meter-wide pedestrian tunnel, the full plan also includes a bridge, plaza and a new civic building.
2018 Australia Interior Design Awards (AIDA) in Best of State (Commercial Design), New South Wales
2018 Australia Interior Design Awards (AIDA) in Public Design
2018 Australia Interior Design Awards (AIDA) in Award for Sustainability Advancement
2018 Driven by Design Award in GOV: Urban Design
Connecting one of Sydney’s busiest transport interchanges to Barangaroo, Wynyard Walk’s architectural expression creates a civic presence and a socially sustainable piece of infrastructure to Sydney’s downtown.
Napoleon Plaza is the centerpiece of the project and connects the pedestrian tunnel through steps, elevators and escalators directly to the ground level.
Positioned at the Clarence Street entrance of the Station, the 23-metre wide Wynscreen combines art, culture and LED technology to create a series of visual experiences.
Amount of time saved walking the new route between Wynyard Station & Barangaroo
Sydney’s Wynyard Walk wins gold for excellence in a public sector design project.
We sat down with Kim Crestani, the lead architect with our partner Transport for NSW. Hear what she had to say about our collaboration on Wynyard Walk.
“An exemplary project … Woods Bagot rejected the cookie-cutter option to create one of the most calming thoroughfares I have visited; the design is – literally – a transport of delight. Bravo to such a beautiful, elegant imagining and designing of this enchanting transport connection. The materiality and detailing is precision rich, clean, light and unashamedly modern, as well as of its time.”
https://architectureau.com/articles/australias-urban-infrastructure-a-role-for-architect-design-professionals
Perth, Australia