The repeated forms of the towers and their massive bases unite to form a vast public verandah along the Olympic Plaza. Photograph by Patrick Bingham-Hall.

  • Client ::

    • Olympic Coordination Authority

  • Location ::

    • Homebush Bay, Sydney

  • Completed ::

    • 1996-2003

  • Team ::

    • Peter Tonkin, Neil Mackenzie, Paul Rolfe, Amelia Kelly, Brian Zulaikha, Ellen Woolley, Steven Varady

  • Awards ::

    • 2000 RAIA Environment Award
      2000 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects President’s Award
      2000 International RICS Award for Conservation

Project Description::

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, with a range of specialist sub-consultants, undertook the design, documentation and co-ordination of the Urban Elements for the 2000 Olympic Games site at Homebush Bay for the Olympic Coordination Authority. The Urban Elements – paving, signage, street furniture and lighting – represent a unifying and consistent fabric across all the precincts of this complex extended site.

The work, undertaken to strict timetables and under a rigorous environmental management plan, set new standards for accessibility and utilised leading Australian design and technology. The Elements include nine lighting pole types, ranging from modest pedestrian area lighting standards to large Olympic Plaza Pylons, and twenty three styles and sizes of signs including way-finding and identification signage, with LED and other dynamic event markers. The street furniture includes bus and shade shelters, seating, bins, water fountains and bollards, and a palette of paving materials and types.

The different designs and the location strategies were fully specified in the Urban Elements Design Manual for use by the various precinct designers, and remains the standard for the on-going development of Sydney Olympic Park.

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer worked with Hargreaves Associates as Landscape and Master Planning consultants, The NSW Government Architect’s Design Directorate, Barry Webb and Associates (Lighting), Hassell (Paving), KWA Design (Industrial Design) and Emery Vincent (Graphics).