Hobart Waterfront Competition
Capturing the spirit of Hobart, the design challenges the existing landscape by proposing a reversal - of land and water.
The design paradox seeks to reconnect the City with the harbour and its historical landform by reintroducing water linkages that in turn echo the mountain backdrop of the city onto the waterfront horizon. The design defines the existing urban fabric by establishing two dominant axes, the East-West physical axis and the North-South water axis. The two axes allow for the city to flourish whilst proudly embracing their unique connection to the land and Water as well as the cultural character of Hobart. The East-West axis connects within a broad scale master plan, which recommends the formation of a green, pedestrian and cycle friendly link that contours the Derwent River foreshore through to Pavilion Point and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. The island installations in the harbour allow for pedestrian movement between key attractions at Salamanca Place and the invigorated Hunter Street Art’s complex. The islands undulating physical form allow for spectacular places to view cityscape and harbour, whilst also creating areas for solitary refuge – moments where thoughts move with the sound of the ocean giants at the port, and the sound of sails in the dock. Passive surveillance from the surrounding street edges and lighting will provide a level of public safety while enhancing the overall experience of the islands as a sanctuary. The movement of people across the East-West axis will encourage the revitalisation of the rail yard south east of the Hunter Street precinct into future mixed residential and commercial uses.
The North-South axis provides a vital aqueous link from the harbour to the Rivulet, referencing the historical flow of the Rivulet and the old shore line. The scheme showcases City Hall as the anchor in its placement at the northern end of the water reflection pool, creating a powerful linear connection with the foreshore and further enticing pedestrian movement along this axis. The structural attributes of the City Hall will be retained however the building will embrace the historical presence of water by functioning as a public bath where surrounding walls will form an aquarium housing native marine species. The aquatic facade of the aquarium will further strengthen the linear connection between city and foreshore, providing multiple experiences for residents and tourists alike. The existing courtyards to the east of the City Hall have been strengthened and planned to better facilitate the filtration of pedestrians along laneway like corridors from the Arts Complex at Hunter Street, through to the Theatre Royal at Wapping Corner. They also play an important role as shelter from the cool and windy environment, a place where people can retreat to and be protected.
The reflecting pool at old Dunn Place mediates between the harbour and the newly created public space by being an inversion of the building program. The simplicity of this urban element allows for enhanced public interaction from civic promenade through to museum
courtyard, new boutique hotel, conference centre and town hall.
And in one final solitary moment as you sit on an island or peer into the reflecting pool, it is here, that the anatomy of Hobart comes together as one,
harbour – sky – mountain.