Design for world-class centrepiece of Parramatta Square

A winding stream that changes shape and form, areas of green open space and public art installations are among the features of a concept design for Parramatta Square’s public domain area which is now on public exhibition.

Parramatta City Council last night voted to endorse the Draft Concept Design for a four-week exhibition period to seek feedback from the community and stakeholders.

The $35 million investment by Council is central to the $2 billion Parramatta Square redevelopment that will include commercial, residential, educational and civic buildings.

Key to the concept design is a central fountain and watercourse that winds through the length of the 10,000sqm space.  While the final design is still to be determined, the stream could take on a variety of forms including still water, running water, a shallow curtain, mist or spray.

“As a river city, Parramatta has a long and well-established connection with water and this design pays tribute to that, with a water feature that lends itself to a variety of different interpretations,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd said.

“This is a unique opportunity to define the future heart of our City, to create an engaging space that will be used by thousands of residents, visitors and workers every day. Council and the design team aim to create a world-class public square befitting Sydney’s dual CBD that respects and pays homage to our unique heritage, while creating a versatile, modern and visually appealing space.”

A team of four internationally-acclaimed design firms, including Danish architect Jan Gehl, has worked with Council to celebrate the City’s connection to its riverside location by putting water at the heart of the design.

As well as the iconic water feature and main fountain, the public domain will include digital way finding and public art, a northern lawn and southern plaza, play garden, a new Town Hall lobby, focal artwork and multiple crossing points across the stream.

The draft concept was created by 42 – a design team including award-winning firms James Mather Delaney Design (JMD), Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL), Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) and Gehl Architects, Denmark. The team have won acclaim for their individual and collaborative work both locally and overseas, including projects in New Zealand, the UK and New York’s Time Square and Broadway.

“Water becomes a centrepiece to Parramatta Square and will animate it in many wonderful ways.  It will celebrate the great diversity of Parramatta’s community and connect to a range of beautiful civic spaces that allow visitors, residents and workers to promenade, play, meet or be entertained,” 42 spokesman and TCL director Perry Lethlean said.

“The public realm will also include many inviting lawn spaces, display gardens and extensive tree planting to create a memorable setting and a unique Parramatta identity.”

Professor Jan Gehl of Gehl Architects said a great heart of a city is a key condition for a thriving urban community.

"Parramatta Square will become the new urban heart of a diverse and changing face of Parramatta.  It will provide many opportunities for people to enjoy urban life in a great city,” Professor Gehl said.

The design team includes Melbourne artist Callum Morton, who will oversee the public art masterplan for the new public space. Callum is Professor of Fine Art at Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) in Melbourne, and has exhibited his work internationally.

Council recently announced that Walker Corp will be developing and sourcing buyers and tenants for Stages 2 and Stages 5 & 6 of Parramatta Square.

The public domain will be completed in stages to ensure coordination with the construction projects in Parramatta Square including the Western Sydney University high-rise campus, new civic and library facilities and commercial high-end office buildings.

The project will see 20,000sqm of space transformed, including the 10,000sqm, 40 metre-wide and 250 metre-long central area.

More than 1000 comments have already been received from the public through a number of focus groups, three community open days and an online survey. Residents and ratepayers are now being asked to provide their feedback on the draft concept design and can attend a number of open days during the four week exhibition.

Feedback can also be provided:

• In person – Hard copies can be viewed at Parramatta City Council administration building at 126 Church St, Parramatta or at Parramatta Central Library at 1-3 Fitzwilliam St, Parramatta
• Online - The documents can be viewed at www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/on_exhibition.
• Email – Submissions can be emailed to info@parracity.nsw.gov.au
• Post – Submissions can be sent to PO Box 32, Parramatta NSW 2124. All submissions should be marked ‘Parramatta Square Public Space Exhibition’.