In June 2002, verge was provided the opportunity to contribute to the streetscape along the Grey Street Precinct, at South Bank. This commission resulted in a response to the urban frame using the ‘other’ elements of landscape design – light, space and volume.

The Arbour on Grey II sits in between Grey and Little Stanley Streets at the South Bank Parklands. The development provides the experience of inner city living, which has come to mean living in close proximity to entertainment, dining, shopping and recreational opportunities.

The brief for the project was considered to be two fold:-
Firstly, to tie together the existing elements of Grey and Little Stanley Streets with the architectural design of HPA, whilst providing artful connections between the two and South Bank Parklands.

Secondly to address the functional issues associated with a building in which all four sides are open to scrutiny
by all, including retail, dining, residential and service edges.

The execution of the project artfully upheld both the design aims of the project and the functional requirements of what needed to be a robust and inviting series of spaces.

A minimalist approach was adopted for the introduction of
physical objects into an already loaded ground plane to create a space of simplicity and rhythm. Introduced sculptural elements also had to have a functional and aesthetic quality. Sculptural forms were designed along with the lighting to ensure that the space provided an experience for the viewer and the user 24/7.

Another key component of the approach was to acknowledge the substantial horticultural achievement of the living Arbour which provides Grey Street with a dynamic green edge, and as such it has a strong physical presence on the ground plane. It was also
important to give the living arbor and the building itself, their ‘own space’. In effect, this became the perfect foil for working with minimal yet engaging interventions along and through the lateral connections of the site. Essentially, the task was to provide a day/night experience without too many intrusive physical elements

The leap from the linear structure of the building and arbour to the lateral spaces in between, was made through the play of light and volume.

Light and volume were emphasised through the suspension of a ribbon of sculptural lights which changed in form and extended onto the ground plane. This, together with the exact placement of ‘hovering’ seats with light box ‘tails’ guide the traveller through the space to ‘the other side’.

The project also involved the design of the pavement. The material used was granite, picked for its hard wearing properties and easier maintenance. The design of contrasting linear banding provided a playful contrast to the ‘tilting frame’ of the retail edge.

Excerpt from article published in “Landscape Design ” 2002 by Deb Robbins