The shortlisted designs in the Kensington and Kingsford: K2K Urban Design Competition have been revealed.

From an entry pool of 19 submissions, four were shortlisted in August, following the conclusion of stage one of the competition. Teams then developed their proposals further in stage two, with these proposals now open for public comment. 

Organised by Randwick City Council in Sydney, Kensington and Kingsford: K2K Urban Design Competition seeks ideas and designs that will shape future planning of the two suburbs, located to the south-east of Sydney’s CBD. The two precincts will be served by the new light rail network, which will run along Anzac Parade, and is due to be operational in 2019. 

All four schemes can be viewed at Meeks St Plaza, Kingsford and the Masonic Centre, Kensington or online. Proposals will be publicly exhibited from 21 September to 5 October, and the winning team will be announced on 17 October 2016.

The four shortlisted finalists:

James Mather Delaney Design Landscape Architects, Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects, Bennett and Trimble Architecture and Urban Projects713b9cc451f6cf4b663dc574eee119fe.jpg

The design proposes to reinstate the millstream, an existing water system running north–south parallel to Doncaster Avenue, as a green spine and reimagines Anzac Parade as a “boulevard punctuated by new civic places of intensity.” The Anzac Parade footpath would be widened by 10 metres to create a pedestrian spine and civic spaces would “cluster community and transport services in relation to the light rail platforms.”

Aspect Studios Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, SJB Architects and Urban Design, Terrior Architecture and Urban Planning, and SGS Economics and Planning 347895352a8d1cb2c41708f1dc0c4d61.jpg

The proposal identifies the K2K project as an “urban circuit breaker” that will see two centres evolve into integral hubs in a larger network that includes transport routes, Sydney’s parks and public institutions. Kensington is envisaged as a village and Kingsford as a vibrant employment destination. Anzac Parade is proposed as a fast-paced corridor with a focus on large businesses, while Doncaster Avenue, a green, pedestrian and cycle-friendly street.

CODA Architecture and Urban Design, Realm Studios Landscape Architecture, and GTA Transport Consultants8e6b8cbfac6cc748753a6d0d7c336d3a.jpg

The proposal weaves the rich story of Kensington and Kingsford together with a resilient future. It aims to make K2K the safest, most walkable and ridable centres with 10x more people on bikes than cars. Public space and streets are employed to reveal the geological and water history of the site and mitigate flooding.

JBA Urban Design and Planning, Stewart Hollenstein Architecture and Urban Design, Arcadia Landscape and Natural Systems, the Transport Planning People and Jess Scully39e3841990487f4e1b26a0c19fb4f963.jpg

The proposal imagines a series of organic and linked opportunities to create meeting places, breakout squares and moments for gathering along a more pedestrianised Anzac Parade. Development would be intensified around light rail stops and east-west connections traversing the main road would be improved. Side streets and laneways will offer malls for outdoor dining.