Down by the Riverside
Design Team • Dotdash/Urbis/Woods Bagot/Street and Garden Furniture
In February 2015, the eye of Cyclone Marcia passed directly over Rockhampton, bringing with it winds of over 150 km/h and widespread destruction. In the aftermath, the Rockhampton Riverside Precinct project was initiated by the Rockhampton Regional Council to provide much needed economic stimulus to the city and to renew the riverside area.
Jointly-funded by local Council, State and Federal Governments, this award-winning public realm project was developed by Urbis in partnership with the Rockhampton Regional Council.
The brief set by Council was to reinvigorate the CBD through urban renewal and provide a promise of more - a place locals love to live in, visit and promote.
Our starting point of this project was to undertake a Wayfinding and Placemaking investigation - understanding the personality and character of the city, the users needs and circulation.
We discovered a rich tapestry of city and country of spirit, determination and courage. Rockhampton saw themselves as lively, fearless, expressive, creative, witty and tough.
Our response was to plan a wayfinding signage strategy that encourages circulation and connectivity throughout the precinct and draws users down to the banks of the Fitzroy River.
Our Wayfinding framework includes precinct identification, directional signage, area identification and interpretative signage. Particular emphasis was placed on the precinct identification totems to enable day-night site activation.
Directional signage throughout the site takes on a folded appearance, and is mounted on stone plinths. The city’s history and close relationship with the river is highlighted through interpretative signage located on the balustrades along the river’s edge and elsewhere across the site.
Materials were selected for their contextual relevance, sustainability and weather resistance to withstand future barrages from the elements, resilient, like the people of Rockhampton.
This project was a collaborative effort. Our designers worked alongside architects from Woods Bagot, urban planners from Urbis, industrual designers from Street and Garden and public art curators from UAP.
