Landscape Architecture: HASSELL
Project name: The Peninsula at Burswood
Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Completion date: 2007
Area: 17 ha
Budget: A$700m
Client: Mirvac
Image credits: Photography by Acorn Photo Agency (Adrian Lambert)
The Peninsula at Burswood development was part of Mirvac’s vision to create a series of high quality, environmentally responsive, urban villages, centred on transport links to the metropolitan centre of Perth, Western Australia.
As Landscape Architect, HASSELL designed all of the public realm components, including outdoor residential spaces, public open space, plazas, streetscapes, mixed-use spaces, artworks, water treatment irrigation lakes and pedestrian networks.
Landscape Architecture: HASSELL
Project name: The Peninsula at Burswood
Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Completion date: 2007
Area: 17 ha
Budget: A$700m
Client: Mirvac
Image credits: Photography by Acorn Photo Agency (Adrian Lambert)
The Peninsula at Burswood development was part of Mirvac’s vision to create a series of high quality, environmentally responsive, urban villages, centred on transport links to the metropolitan centre of Perth, Western Australia.
As Landscape Architect, HASSELL designed all of the public realm components, including outdoor residential spaces, public open space, plazas, streetscapes, mixed-use spaces, artworks, water treatment irrigation lakes and pedestrian networks.
Pedestrian spaces form an integral part of the development. The main plaza is one of a chain of five interlinked spaces that connects the Swan River to the heart of the development. Located along the central spine of the site, it is a unique functional space catering for a safe and comfortable mix of occasional vehicular and pedestrian circulation.
A distinctly ‘urban’ character has been achieved through a variety of landscape treatments that are complimentary to the architectural setting, and draw subtly on the historic and natural aspects of the site. A body of water is symbolically ‘cut’ through the centre of the space in memory of the historic Burswood peninsula canal, and reveals an animated series of decked spaces, cascading terraces, fountains and bridges, all with views to the city skyline.
Each space is defined by an overarching character typology. The design team defined the pedestrian spaces and circulation priorities through the use of contrasting exposed aggregate concrete. Polished concrete in-situ copings added a finer detail to the large-scale seating wall and sculpture plinth, and ample grassed spaces with mature tree transplants were formed using raised planters with step access to a timber deck and watercourse.
The landscape strategies developed by HASSELL form part of the wider planning initiatives to create a comfortable, attractive and sustainable urban environment that enhances the local recreational and social amenity. This significant urban village now houses over 3000 residents in a variety of housing types, set among vibrant, sustainable, open spaces.