The opening of the Sydney Metro was not only a milestone moment for Sydney, it was also something for the Arcadia to celebrate with the delivery of the Barangaroo Station Park Precinct.
Arcadia was the landscape architect for Barangaroo Station, which included the open space design for the station entrance, Nawi Cove and Hickson Road public domain and connections to the Walsh Bay Arts and Cultural Precinct. The parkland around the Sydney Metro Barangaroo Station was designed to instil the site’s heritage and Indigenous culture through artwork and interpretation, as well as delivering a significant and interconnecting piece of Barangaroo public domain.
The area surrounding Barangaroo Station has been designed to open up the precinct for more people to enjoy with new footpaths, over 200 trees and plants, new lighting and bike parking facilities.
A key feature of the park is the interpretive seating made from precast white concrete, seeded with oyster shells collected within the Sydney Basin, which celebrate the Nawi Cove’s traditional use by Gadigal peoples as a fishing ground.
Nearby lies a heritage boat paving inlay, which takes the shape of the Barangaroo Boat, discovered by on-site by archaeologists in 2018. Specialist analysis is underway to confirm when construction of the timber vessel occurred, likely dating to the 1820s or 1830s. Fabricated in cast iron, the boat artwork has been installed in the same location it was found on site.
Arcadia’s landscape design response for this significant public domain project required consultation and collaboration with a multitude of stakeholders, including local Elders and First Nations Knowledge Holders to find meaningful opportunities to instill the site’s heritage and Indigenous culture through artwork and interpretation.