Projects
Seven Ways Bondi
Catalyst Project
‘Demonstrates the potential of landscape architecture to connect a community….’ -Jury Report
Winner of the 2023 AILA NSW Award for Civic Landscape
This project transformed leftover roadside space at one of Sydney’s busiest intersections, to a new community park and meeting place.
On any day, the park is packed with people sipping coffee, lounging in the sun or playing with children in what is now regarded as a safe place.
A coherent urban strategy
Seven Ways is one of the busiest intersections in Bondi – a nexus of apartments, small business and tight parking. Despite the well-connected location, retail was failing, and pedestrians felt unsafe. We were concerned that to fence the open space from the road would result in more obstacles and less amenity. Our design proposed a singular unifying element – a multi-use, sculptural seating wall that protects people from the street without the use of a fence, creating a cohesive place.
Sevenways has become a showcase for the social and economic benefits of increased density alongside high quality public open space.
A vibrant community assett
This project demonstrates the power of design to solve specific urban problems. We transformed a tricky intersection into a safe, sculptural green space without the need for fences or bollards, prioritising safe pedestrian movement across Glenayr Avenue. The high-quality public domain has helped to drive investment and integrate new development with the existing tight-knit community.
The design responds to the character of three major intersecting streets: residential Blair Street, the commercial spine of Glenayr Avenue and heritage plantings of Warners Avenue. The sculptural ribbon wall ties disparate corners of the intersection together and defines outdoor rooms.
The design responds to the character of three major intersecting streets: residential Blair Street, the commercial spine of Glenayr Avenue and heritage plantings of Warners Avenue. The sculptural ribbon wall ties disparate corners of the intersection together and defines outdoor rooms.
Reclaiming streets for people
The community consultation revealed a clear call for more green space, the desire to retain the existing Paperbark trees and provide safer pedestrian crossings. People valued the public life and culture of Bondi and often visited Sevenways alone, so we needed a space that was welcoming and comfortable to inhabit. The new park came into its own during the 2020 lockdowns, offering social connection, takeaway coffee and a hit of Vitamin D.
Our design used the ribbon wall, tree placement and planting zones to create layers of safety between pedestrians and traffic.
We wanted the feeling of coastal dune plants emerging from the concrete footpath. We made generous planting beds under the mature Paperbark trees and carved out pathways between them.
We contrasted the palette of tough foredune plants against a matrix of stainless-steel mirror tiles, sun-bleached precast concrete and warm-toned stone paving.
The sculptural, ribbon-like wall brings a flash of glamour to the park, elevating the new park above its heavily trafficked surrounds.
New high-profile tenancies have moved into what was a failing retail strip, anchoring the vibrancy of Glenayr Avenue and contributing to the local village atmosphere.
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