Central Park Public Domain Design

JAAA+Turf were commissioned by Frasers to re-imagine the public domain of the C&U Brewery site. Their first task was to work with Foster + Partners, AJN, JPW, TZG and Tzannes Associates to review and refine the original masterplan inherited with purchase of the site. A large public park was always central to the masterplan intent. Orientating the park’s long axis with the frontage of existing Chippendale terraces proved vital in creating a place of meaning and connectedness for the community. The parks is set back from Broadway - creating an intimacy rarely achieved by a park of this size within a CBD.

Central Park’s public domain exemplifies how a well-considered and legible public domain framework can both unite a site and restitch a city. At the heart of the site is Chippendale Green; a north-facing park of terraced, sun drenched lawns tucked away from the frenetic pace of the city. A new city precinct delivered via an expanded and interconnected network of new places; streets, lanes, parks and plazas - breathing new life into what was a baron and desolate stretch of Broadway; while adding to the energy and vitality of inner city Chippendale.

Central Park’s public domain design meets the challenge of forging a robust and intelligent public domain that serves the local community and the city as a whole. Since opening in 2012, Central Park has quickly become a much loved new addition to city life. From the everyday dog walk or yoga class, to hosting bi-monthly markets and numerous annual major events, Central Park has been embraced by the community at all levels. Its precious family heirloom; the C&U Brewery will be completed this year, transforming the north-western corner into a bustling mix of market, community, economy and creative work places.

There are many projects that begin with an objective for excellence that grow weary with time and produce outcomes that are a mere shadow of the initial intent. Central Park has stayed true to its original vision; to be an urban precinct the world looks to for inspiration. In its detailing, the Carlton & United Brewery’s sandstone and bricks feature in the terraced lawns and flow into the shared laneways. The old is celebrated and juxtaposed with new architectural forms, exuding a relaxed yet richly connected sense of place. Through-site links connect Broadway and the city to Central Park and onto the laneways of Chippendale once blocked by the Brewery operations.