The NSW Government held a two-stage design open competition for the new Harbour Park, 1.85 hectares set along the waterfront in Central Barangaroo. Over 70 teams from around the world registered their interest. The competition jury, comprising of leading figures from the Australian and international design community, shortlisted five teams to create a design that considered Barangaroo’s key development pillars for high quality public spaces, world-class design excellence, integration of art and culture and sustainability, and encouraged passive and active recreation, and spaces for community and cultural events, influenced by feedback from the community.

The winning design for the new Harbour Park is by AKIN, an Indigenous-led and Sydney-based design team comprising of Yerrabingin, Architectus, Jacob Nash , Studio Chris Fox, Flying Fish Blue and Arup. Their thoughtful concept showcases First Nations design methodologies to create a place that is rich in culture, deeply connected to Country and welcomes all. The design seeks to regenerate the land from a cold industrial concrete slab to a landscape that is timeless, with extensive planting and canopy cover, waterways, wetlands and waterholes. The winning design as featuring nature play for all ages and abilities, a 6,000-capacity event lawn for hosting community and cultural events and winding pathways to explore. The design honours the long and deep history of the Gadigal people and showcases First Nations design methodologies. The Country-led design supports regenerative ecology, natural systems, drawing insects, birds and other fauna.

The five shortlisted teams were:

– Team 035 – Akin This competitor includes Yerrabingin, Architectus, Jacob Nash, Studio Chris Fox and Flying Fish Blue.

– Team 061 – Angelo Candalepas and Associates + Teresa Moller Landscape Studio This competitor includes Angelo Candalepas and Associates, Teresa Moller Landscape Studio, Maria Fernanda Cardoso, Michaelie Crawford and Balarinji.

– Team 024 – ASPECT Studios with Bangawarra, Brook Andrew and Collins and Turner This competitor includes ASPECT Studios, Bangawarra, Brook Andrew and Collins and Turner, Amanda Sturgeon, Buro Happold, Speirs Major, Event Engineering, Eckersley O’Callaghan, and AT&L.

– Team 018 - OCULUS, DS+R, COLA Studio, Jiwah, Barbara Flynn and Yhonnie Scarce This competitor includes OCULUS, DS+R, COLA Studio, Jiwah, Barbara Flynn, Yhonnie Scarce, Atelier Ten, OCP Architects and Enspire Solutions.

– Team 044 – PWP Landscape Architecture + CLOUSTON Associates This competitor includes PWP Landscape Architecture, CLOUSTON Associates, Re-right Collective (Dennis Golding + Carmen Glynn-Braun), Claire Healy + Sean Cordeiro, Urban Art Projects, Allen Jack+Cottier, Blaklash Creative, GML Heritage, Cundall.

See the project page here.

CityLab has been appointed by the NSW Government to manage the Harbour Park Design Competition.