Riverside Centre
city°
The Riverside Centre is located in Brisbane on the northern bank of the Brisbane River. Originally opened in 1986, it’s revitalisation was commissioned by the GPT Group, with interior architecture by Kerry Phelan Design Office & Harry Seidler & Associates. The project was completed in 2016.
Size: 7,300m2
Budget: $4,500,000
Scope: Masterplan, Concept Design, Detail Documentation, Construction
The Riverside Centre has been recognised with the following awards;
2018 AILA QLD Award for Civic Design
1. New planting on the river terrace steps (above left)
2. Aerial view of planter over existing steps (below left)
3. River-side concept perspective (right)
Folding precast planters make gardens, direct movement and create seating
The renovation illustrates how an urban space can be revitalized without the need to sacrifice heritage or cultural identity
- Landscape Australia
1. New tree planting shades the river terrace steps (above)
2. Aerial view of tree planter and seating over heritage steps (above right)
3. Aerial view over serpentine canopy (below right)
Dusk from the river-side promenade
Tree planting over river terrace steps
An urban garden
Planting richness and complexity is achieved through careful species curation
- Landscape Australia
The interplay of heritage and contemporary
Landscape Architecture Australia Article
In 2013, landscape architecture practice 360 Degrees was invited to reimagine the heritage-listed plaza. Confronting the issues of wind and heat, 360 Degrees’ initial response was to introduce as much greenery to the plaza as possible. But this was easier said than done. On one hand, the designers had to grapple with a heritage listing that prevented any permanent alterations to the paved surfaces (including adding any additional drainage points), while on the other, an underground car park meant there were strict weight restrictions for any new elements introduced at ground level.
Working with the client (GPT Group) and Harry Seidler and Associates, 360 Degrees modelled a network of lightweight precast concrete planter modules that could twist and fold around the building and extend down a series of stairs to the river to provide seating, shelter and soil for plants. These could be removed if necessary without any lasting damage to the heritage-listed paving.
With the assistance of 3D modelling program 3ds Max, the design was modulated into 41 unique parts that could be prefabricated into 260 high-quality, Class 1 concrete panels off site. Timber seating was integrated into the sinuous design, with higher backs located in the windier areas of the plaza to provide protection. A special lightweight soil medium was used in the planters to allow for larger shade specimens to be incorporated – such as mature Pandanus spiralis (pandanus palms) and Waterhousea floribunda (weeping lilli pilli) – before the overall weight limit was reached.
Daniel Baffsky, director at 360 Degrees, said the overall objective was “to flip the general approach to urban open space by allowing planting to proliferate in a human-scaled landscape that’s designed for social interaction, as much as amenity, ecology and visual interest.” The mostly endemic planting scheme certainly provides the visual interest, with more than 2,987 plants of 35 species creating a landscape full of contrasting colours and textures.
1. Precast concrete signage (above left)
2. Timber batten and concrete seating (below left)
3. Sansevieria 'moonshine' and Hymenosporum flavum 'Gold Nugget'(right)
Technical drawing for precast planters
Technical section
Technical axonometric
1. Precast planter installation over the heritage steps (above left)
2. Precast planter with integrated seating (below left)
3. Precast modules (right)
Tree planters shade the riverside steps
Under the serpentine canopy
An urban garden
An iconic building and the design response is respectful without being subservient
- Award Citation
1. Eagle Street north entry (above left)
2. Night activation (below left)
3. Social seating lines the path edges (right)
Entrance lobby with Carlberg sculpture
Interior planters in dialogue with the plaza landscape
Lobby cafe
2018 AILA Award Citation
This project has addressed numerous challenging design constraints and made it look effortless. The location is an iconic building and the design response is respectful without being subservient. A large flight of stairs leading to the riverfront has been transformed from a thoroughfare to a destination, and a complex tangle of services and other constraints are skillfully integrated. The revitalisation demonstrates how a space can be organised to provide intimate places in a public setting, and the approach has been translated through with a high level of detailing and construction.
