MUDD student projects

exhibits

2002-2003 Bays Studio

3D Perspective of White Bay

Master Plan of White Bay

Introduction

The Bays studio was conceived to examine the changing character of the inner region of Sydney and its distinctive harbour front. The study area has undergone major changes for over 200 years. Initially it was a refined outer area of the city with villas overlooking the harbour. Later it became an export centre for grain, wool and an immigrant landing area. Roads bisected the bays to join Sydney to the expanse of the country beyond the city.

At present the future role of this unique inner-city location is uncertain and lacks the rhetoric of planning regulation. The container port area forms a key remnant land-use. The Fish Market is still very active although most of the fish arrive by road from outlying ports rather than directly by boat. Adjacent to these bays are significant housing areas including Balmain, Glebe and Pyrmont, which have distinct neighbourhood characteristics.

The studio examined issues of urban scale use of Sydney’s waterfront and tackled issues of scale, transport systems and building types. The students explored possible infill development scenarios across a very large area of the inner city. Students worked in groups of 3- 4 on the projects. This enabled cohesive design solutions to be presented in the groups with each student having an individual design project for a strategic setting. These projects included infill housing, transportation networks, the redevelopment of the Fish Market, the reuse of the huge White Bay Power Station and a major new mixed-use waterfront city.