North Sydney Council has transformed busy roads into a colourful and welcoming mini-plaza in Kirribilli on Cammeraygal land as part of the NSW Government’s ‘Streets as Shared Spaces’ Program.
Designed by Turf Design Studio in collaboration with Studio Garbett, the pop-up is part of the Kirribilli Masterplan Pilot Project and aims to reinvigorate the high street and dining area adjacent to Milsons Point Station and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, on Burton, Bligh and Broughton Streets.
Simeon King, Director of Turf Design Studio, said, “The aim of this project was to inject optimism and joy into the Kirribilli landscape after a challenging two years due to the Covid epidemic and its resulting lockdowns. The area’s activation is designed to attract people to Kirribilli helping to regenerate the local economy and provide vibrant environments for people to interact and engage with one another.
“The project sends the message that something new has happened, albeit on a temporary basis, primarily achieved through colour, lighting, planters and seating.”
The “quick turnaround project” needed to be “easily delivered, eye-catching and transformative,” he said – achieved by adding art, colour and elements to make the area more liveable and active.
“We were inspired by the optimistic Australian spirit and the beauty of the Sydney Harbour which envelops Kirribilli and shines through in the work of local artists such as Brett Whiteley and Ken Done.
“The graphic created by Studio Garbett demarcates an ‘urban carpet’, and a unifying field that signifies a change to these local streets as more intensive people places, to sit, eat, people watch and wander. The colours help to articulate the new dimensions of the public realm, amongst a visually busy streetscape.”
The need to provide shade, cooling and softness to pop-up streets is creating demand for oversize planters for trees. In Kirribilli, tailored large round Frame Planters support additional colour and greenery for the space.
The planters, in Bondi Blue, feature adjustable feet for inclined surfaces.
