- Arup developed a high level vision to serve as a blueprint for future development in support of the arts and culture for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
- Extensive consultation with arts organisations, state and local agencies as well as users of the precinct itself influenced the vision
- Complementary activation strategies will result in a contemporary interpretation of a cultural and urban precinct
Pier 2/3 is Sydney’s last wharf structure in its original state. Sitting amongst the arts and culture cluster of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, the planned redevelopment of Pier 2/3 by Arts NSW presents a unique opportunity to develop the infrastructure and creative ecosystem that will support and strengthen the activation of Walsh Bay as a whole.
Arup was commissioned by Arts NSW to develop a high-level vision for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Drawing upon research and consultation with stakeholders and users, the vision and supporting themes were developed to respond to the existing attractors and challenges of the area.
We approached the vision for Walsh Bay in terms of soft infrastructure needs. Desired behaviours and habits we wanted people to develop to best fulfill the potential of this precinct were identified which then informed the architecture.
Adopting a user’s perspective in the development of the vision, we identified supporting themes, related to the shifts in societal trends resulting from emerging workstyles, work cultures adopted by creative industries, digital connectivity and social networking. Activation strategies and recommendations were then recommended that would enable Walsh Bay Arts Precinct to reach its full potential.
The future of the precinct will be a digitally networked urban precinct that facilitates cultural consumption and production through informal workspaces, insights into the creative process and community participation.