Client
University of South Australia
In association with JPE Design Studio
Location
George Street, UniSA City West Campus
Key to the concept was turning this under-utilised street into a key campus connector that is adaptable for multiple uses. In daily use the space is a thoroughfare linking users into the campus and providing soft landscaped spaces for relaxation in a previously hard-surfaced area. During the University’s graduations the street acts as the spill out space housing marquees, photobooths and gown hire. The design includes opportunities for short-term recreation and sport, display of student artworks, pop-up events, movie nights and functions.
Three distinct zones are created within the street but are brought together through a consistent treatment of the ground plane. The centre of the street is the focal point and becomes the campus piazza, a large grassed area encapsulated in a flowing timber terrace for study and relaxation, but adaptable to other uses. To the south of the piazza a mixture of permanent and flexible landscaping create smaller spaces for smaller groups and a link to the campus. The northern end of the street features larger green walls and water features to create a gateway into the campus from the adjacent Health precinct and a method to filter the busy city noise.