AWARD FOR URBAN DESIGN
HARBORD DIGGERS CLUB REDEVELOPMENT ARCHITECTUS + CHROFI + JMD DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON WHITBREAD
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The Harbord Diggers Club Redevelopment sees a design collaboration in an inspired urban response to a spectacular coastal headland site and its low-density residential contextual setting. The ambitious program of this intergenerational community hub includes new club facilities, a seniors’ living village, childcare, fitness centre, public swimming pool and car park. Wherever possible, many of these functions have been carefully embedded into the landscape, and in doing so, discretely and successfully address a range of complex environmental considerations. Above ground a network of new pedestrian links and open spaces have been defined across the site, introducing captivating
vistas of the coastline, while extending and activating the public realm. The exposed components of the scheme’s urban form respond sensitively to their immediate context. Smaller scale elements to the western frontage are set back to complement the existing residential streetscape. To the east, larger scale sculptural forms project elegantly to echo the jagged sandstone formations of the coastline. A singular approach to material selection and architectural detailing is evident across the project, whilst masterful landscape gestures and native planting selections work to present moments of seamlessness with the natural headland.
