Interciti@Arncliffe (now Discovery Point) - Sydney

Following a limited design competition, the firm completed the commission by the Interciti Arncliffe Consortium to develop the Master Plan and detail Urban Design Controls for a 7-hectare mixed-use development of 170,000m², including retail, commercial, and residential accommodation in nine sub-development sites over a 3-level parking structure.

The site was amalgamated from differing state government and private owners and included a previously constructed partially-underground rail station, a transfer station, and the 19th century culturally significant Tempe House and Chapel. The design team consulted a wide number of authorities (rail, airport, water, etc) as well as the owner group and local council in the process of the design. Broad and comprehensive planning and fine grain urban design was developed enabling a variety of density and building typologies and uses identified to ensure an active pedestrian environment throughout, as well as an active waterfront along the Cooks River frontage. Every building form was use-plan detail-design-tested, along the lines of Preliminary Sketch Plans, and ultimately, after consultation with heritage and council authorities, developed into a detailed set of building and open space controls, identifying setbacks and heights, articulations at significant locations, as well as selected material controls. The overall building grouping and use program were particularly innovative and established a vehicle free pedestrian precinct including a three hectare landscape setting for the heritage buildings.

GMB completed the Development Control Plan, which was approved by Rockdale Council, for the entire area of development sites and all public open space forming the strong basis for the development. The project is being developed as Discovery Point by Australand on a phased basis, and the first significant phase, including the open space setting for Tempe House, is complete, and the construction of the cover to the rail line is underway.