RRP short-listed in Sydney

Richard Rogers Partnership (RRP) has been short-listed in a prestigious international masterplanning competition, set to transform East Darling Harbour, Sydney.

RRP joined Lippmann Associates, Martha Schwartz Partners and Lend Lease Developments Pty Ltd in a unique global partnership, consisting of British, Australian and US designers and project managers.  Drawing on their wide range of experience, the team’s submission is one of five schemes selected to proceed to the second stage of the competition.

The brief, set by the Australian State government, seeks a high quality solution to revitalise the former working harbour, which is located to the west of the central business district and to the east of Sydney Harbour Bridge.  It aims to create a world class waterfront and public domain, reconnecting the city with the harbour.  Over 50% of the site has been allocated for open space, with 330,000 sq m for built form; a beach is also to be included within the site.

As one of the last remaining fragments of Sydney’s central business district available for redevelopment, the site offers huge potential as a new urban space for the city of Sydney.  The competition represents the most significant masterplanning opportunity in the city’s history and the most coveted design competition since the Sydney Opera House in 1957. 

The Rogers/Lippmann/Schwartz/Lend Lease concept reflects Sydney's maturation as an international city with a very strong local flavour. The built form is concentrated at the southern end of the site while the harbour-side park, complete with landscape installation, provides an array of passive and active uses. The beach at the northern end of the site will be developed as a unique multi-use zone of external space and form.

Andrew Partridge, RRP project architect said, “We are very pleased to have reached this stage of the competition and have enjoyed the opportunity to work on a such an exciting project.  With just four weeks to formulate the scheme, our success is testament to the great team work displayed by all members of our team.

Ed Lippmann, of Lippman Associates added, “By working collectively, the design team has reflected a common objective of establishing a local but globally relevant urban precinct which is sustainable and contributory to the grain of the city and harbour.”

The designs are on public display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. The winning design is due to be announced in 2006, after public consultation.

For further information please contact RRP Press Officer,
Vicky Smith on 0207 746 0411
or go to:  www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plansforaction/ east_darling_harbour.html