Cockatoo Island

designed by Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects /

Location: Australia / Sydney / Type: Parks / Post-Industrial / Built: 2007 /
Show on Google Maps / Published on July 21, 2014

Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects: An iconic site within the middle of Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island embodies many of the cultural values that distinguish Sydney and its environs to the world stage. In providing a new use to this former ship yard, jail and defence establishment, public access and interpretation was a high priority. The development of the northern apron with a broad grassed area contrasting to a dramatic sandstone cliff face provides a setting for a broad range of public facilities from international concerts to day to day cultural visitation.

Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects provided the design development and detailed design and documentation for the adaptive reuse of the former industrial lands into a new urban park, including facilities for camping on the island. Landscape works included public seating, outdoor lighting, waterfront promenade, distinctive planting and landscape treatment to remediated earth mounding on site.

A range of solutions were developed to ensure retention of historic elements including reuse of materials in tree surrounds, lighting structures and sculptural elements. The site is distinct in the representation of an uncompromising industrial character set within the heart of the Sydney Harbour.

Title: Cockatoo Island Northern Apron
Landscape Architecture: Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects
Location: Sydney Harbour, Sydney Australia
Client: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
Year of construction: 2006-2007
Area: 2 Ha
Budget: $2M
Image credits: Chris Gardner Photography, Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects Pty Ltd
Awards: Winner of 2008 Design Award Australian Institute of Landscape Architects