Portfolio Archive - Page 3 of 4 - Studio GL

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Archive

May 21, 2016

Town Centre Studies

Studio GL has been strengthening urban and regional town centres through good planning and design since 2013. We have identified that successful centres are the result of a complex amalgamation of character and context, structure and uses and many factors are needed to create centres with the right mix of services, amenities and convenience. Building on this knowledge we have found while every centre shares key drivers and attributes, each is different and unique, and the challenges of regional and suburban locations can be as significant as those of a central city location.

One of Studio GL’s first projects undertaken in 2013, was the award winning Five Dock Town Centre Urban Design Study. Since then, we have deepened this understanding of town centres in both regional and urban locations through numerous projects, research and conference papers, and various professional roles. We have applied our extensive knowledge to four Town Centre Masterplans in the Upper Hunter area of NSW (2015), the Kiama Town Centre Urban Design Report (2017), work with Wollongong Council on the historic Port Kembla Town Centre (2017), the St Ives Town Centre Built Form Study (2018), the Victoria Rd Drummoyne Urban Design Review (2018) and the Bowral Town Centre Study (2023). Through our involvement in all these projects we have found that the elements of a successful centre remain constant. These lively, attractive places are integrated and connected, vibrant well into the evening, diverse, comfortable to use, accessible for all, economically viable as well as memorable and unique.

Projects: Five Dock Town Centre Masterplan, Nowra CBD Development Controls, Cessnock Central Parklands, Panania Town Centre, Nowra Riverfront Precinct, Port Kembla Revitalisation

May 21, 2016

Masterplanning

A masterplan (or Master Plan) is a strategic document that outlines a vision or framework for the development of a site, centre or precinct. Masterplans can range in scale from entire new neighbourhoods and university campuses to town centres and infill developments. Effective masterplans recognise that successful places are a result of carefully integrating the public and private domain, how one arrives and moves though a place, the physical shape of buildings and landscape and social, environmental, and economic context. Generally, masterplans identify the shape of desired development and how development and change will be coordinated, so that the existing place and the new can work more effectively to support vibrant and attractive places.

Well-designed masterplans also recognise that time is a critical element in the realisation of a masterplan. They build upon the history and heritage of the place and identify a strategy for implementation both in the short and long term.

The Studio GL team are specialists in developing masterplans. Our process is iterative, based on detailed analysis of the context, then exploring options through workshops, sketches, diagrams, hand drawing and computer modelling before finally explaining the vision though detailed technical documentation and high-quality graphics.

Studio GL have prepared masterplans and precinct plans covering a range of strategic residential and precinct design projects, for private developers and local and state government across Australia. We have created concept designs for low and medium rise dwellings, apartments, mixed-use buildings, and precinct scale sites that demonstrate the opportunity for site or precinct wide development, with appropriate access, setbacks, privacy and a built form that is sympathetic with the local area. These projects have used Studio GL’s experience and knowledge to produce plans with an emphasis on the creation of places that are efficient, enhance the location and meet the needs of future communities.

Projects: Five Dock Town Centre Masterplan, Three Rivers Retirement Community, Coastal Waters Retirement Village, Nowra Riverfront Precinct, Port Kembla Revitalisation

March 10, 2016

Upper Hunter Town Centres Revitalisation

Studio GL was selected by the Upper Hunter Shire Council to prepare revitalisation plans for the townships of Scone, Aberdeen, Merriwa and Murrurundi. All are established rural towns with a rich history and a committed local community. Council was keen to encourage investment, support revitalisation and provide amenity for local residents as well as facilities to attract visitors.

Each masterplan provides a solid framework for future improvements including an extensive, tailored catalogue of best-practice initiatives that included new landscaping, parking and wayfinding, pedestrian and cycle access, traffic calming and gateway entrance treatments. To ensure local community involvement we ran a series of engagement events including workshops, drop in sessions and online feedback.

The four masterplans were finalised in March 2016, placed on exhibition and adopted in June 2016. Since then community-led Revitalisation Committees in each town have prioritised and implemented many of the recommended initiatives, with projects underway such as public artworks, heritage trails, town branding, visitor signage, footpath upgrades and street tree planting.

Client: Upper Hunter Shire Council

Project date: 2015-2016

March 10, 2016

Railway Street, Lidcombe

This large, well-located site is approximately 200m from Lidcombe Station, in an area experiencing a significant urban renewal in the west of Sydney. A site-specific planning proposal had changed the planning controls on the site to create an extension to Friends Park at the rear with taller buildings facing the railway line. Following a pre DA review by the Design Review Panel. Studio GL was engaged by Phoenix Builders to provide urban design advice regarding the design of a mixed-use development by Loucas Architects, comprising residential units, retail and office space.

A key challenge for the project was confusion between the requirements under the LEP and DCP and the controls created by the planning proposal. Studio GL reviewed all the relevant planning controls, including the Apartment Design Guide and Better Placed and created a series of clear diagrams that illustrated the various controls and options considered for the site.

We worked with the Client, architect and landscape architect to create a high amenity, well-designed development that would be attractive to residents, commercial and retail tenants and would provide increased amenity, open space and improved access to the train station.

Client: Phoenix Builders

Project date: 2020-2021

Services: Urban Design Reports

Similar Projects: Norton Street Leichhardt

March 8, 2016

Concept Design & Feasibility Analysis

Studio GL was commissioned to prepare concept options for subsequent feasibility testing for a site located in Drummoyne. Council had received a Planning Proposal that was seeking a substantial increase in building height and was surrounded by significant heritage items dating from the 1910s and 1920s. We provided concepts so Council could understand the impact of different development options including terrace house development and 3-storey and 4-storey apartments.

We also provided advice on possible changes to the Planning Proposal scheme that would lessen the impact on the surrounding area. Our recommendations included increased setbacks, a reduction of overall floor space by decreasing apartment sizes, relocation of tall building elements such as lift overruns to improve sunlight access to neighbouring properties and a redesign of the basement carpark to increase deep soil zones and the opportunity for significant vegetation and tree planting.

Client: City of Canada Bay

Project date: 2015

Services: Feasibility Pre-Design, Residential Design

March 7, 2016

Nowra Riverfront Precinct

Studio GL have been asked to explore a strategic direction for the development of the Nowra Riverfront as an entertainment and leisure precinct. The area is in a prominent gateway location with high amenity provided by the river and natural surrounds and provides a significant opportunity to shape the character of Nowra into the future and strengthen the town’s role as the civic, community, tourism and recreational hub for the region. NSW Road and Maritime Services (RMS) is currently proposing a second river crossing (a new bridge) west of the existing Shoalhaven Bridge, which will have a significant impact on the precinct.

Studio GL have been reviewing previous studies and will provide a summary of the opportunities and constraints of the precinct and then develop planning and design principles specific to the Riverfront Precinct.

Client: Shoalhaven City Council

Project date: 2015 – 2018

Services: Town Centre Studies, Development Controls, Community Engagement, Strategic Planning

March 7, 2016

Camden LGA Mapping

Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPS) establish a 20-year vision for land use in the local area. They identify the special character and values that are to be preserved and how change will be managed into the future. Studio GL prepared comprehensive mapping of the strategic direction identified by Camden Council under four key themes: Infrastructure and Collaboration, Liveability, Productivity, and Sustainability.

Existing mapping of the LGA consisted of basic data (cadastre and zoning). The additional required information was carefully pieced together from numerous sources including aerial and street maps, proposed infrastructure upgrades by various authorities and other strategic planning documents. The final output is a set of comprehensive maps of the Camden LGA and surrounds, with symbols and a graphic language that relate to State Government policies including the Metropolitan Strategy and the District Plan.

The maps have been well received by Council and stakeholders, effectively conveying the complex strategic planning direction including future land use and growth areas, priority zones and existing and proposed major infrastructure.

Client: Camden Council

Project date: 2019

March 7, 2016

Medium Density Ideas Competition

Studio GL developed an integrated medium density housing typology and neighbourhood master plan for the Density and Diversity Done Well ideas competition run by the Queensland Government in 2017. The competition explored the ‘missing middle’ of housing choice in Australia, between apartments and detached dwellings, and was looking for new housing types to meet Queensland’s community, environmental and urban challenges.

Our scheme proposed a finer grain of new public laneways through an existing suburban block, which enabled a more accessible and walkable urban structure to support increased density. The aim was to encourage walking, creating increased opportunity for people to meet informally, build social connections and support local services. The affordable housing module provided in-built potential for expansion, adaptation and change of use and living spaces on the upper levels responded to the climate, maximising natural ventilation through high ceilings and capturing local breezes. The small building footprint allowed increased deep soil zones supporting mature trees and vegetation, which provided privacy screening, increased amenity and reduced the heat island effect.

Client: Queensland Government

Project date: 2017

Services: Strategic Thinking & Planning, Residential Design, Research

March 6, 2016

Medium Density Study

Studio GL prepared an in-depth study for Shoalhaven Council investigating ways to ensure that future medium density built form integrates well within the existing neighbourhood character of Nowra and is supported by smart local planning and development controls.

The project involved extensive case study research, with a focus on high-quality built typologies and designs that are making a positive contribution to their local neighbourhood. Local controls were also identified which helped to facilitate this positive outcome. To ensure the controls reflected the local character, this study was also supported by photographic studies of elements that contribute to ‘character’, spatial mapping of the local area and architectural infill typology testing. By comparing legislation across various councils and at a detailed level, we were able to develop a suite of the most effective LEP and DCP controls.

This suite of controls was tailored to local conditions and refined during a series

of workshops with Council staff, community members, landowners and local developers. Council adopted the study in July 2018 and is currently preparing a Planning Proposal and a revised DCP based on the recommendations.

Client: Shoalhaven City Council

Date: 2016-18

Services: Strategic Thinking & Planning, Residential Design, Research

March 6, 2016

Norton Street Leichhardt

Studio GL was commissioned to prepare an Urban Design Report in support of a Planning Proposal to alter the primary planning controls on a site in Leichhardt, owned by UnitingCare. This included an increase of the permissible building height and FSR in order to facilitate redevelopment to accommodate retirement accommodation in the form of Independent Living Units.

The new planning controls supported the demolition of the existing vacant structures and replacement with a five-storey building with one level of basement parking. The report provides additional detail on the local context, the site and the relevant planning controls. We created clear and concise graphic outputs (plans, sections, elevations, hand sketches and 3D models) that illustrated the site’s opportunities and compared the impact of the current built form with the proposed building envelopes, including the visual impact at street level.

Client: UnitingCare, City Plan

Project date: 2016-2017

Services: Urban Design Reports

Similar Projects: Railway Street, Lidcombe