Sydney Road Pocket Park

GLAS Landscape Architects was engaged to provide landscape design expertise for the Warrnambool Learning and Library Centre in 2019, working as a sub-consultant to Kosloff Architecture. The scope of the project focuses on the external spaces surrounding the hub, with a design aimed at integrating the new facilities into the existing TAFE campus and connecting them to the surrounding town, all while reflecting the local coastal environment and historical conAt the heart of the landscape concept is a desire to create spaces that not only function well but also connect people to nature and each other. The design takes cues from the coastal landscape, with its sand dunes, rock outcrops, and indigenous plant life, to inform everything from the material choices to the arrangement of planting and seating. The iconic Norfolk Island Pines that frame the entrance stand as sentinels, welcoming visitors into a civic plaza where the boundary between hard surfaces and soft greenery is intentionally blurred, encouraging exploration and casual interaction.

GLAS Landscape Architects is designing the Sydney Road Pocket Park for Merri-bek City Council, a project aimed at enhancing public health, well-being, and community connection. Through an initial community consultation process, GLAS developed three concept design options, including one featuring an outdoor amphitheatre and stage, creating a versatile space for events, gatherings, and performances. The final design was chosen after engaging with the community on key values such as biodiversity, nature connection, and climate resilience, ensuring that the park responds directly to local needs.

Inspired by Merri-bek and Brunswick’s rocky, forested landscapes, the park design reflects the area’s distinct natural heritage while promoting ecological sustainability. A range of immersive green spaces and shaded seating areas provide both relaxation and respite, fostering mental and physical well-being. Currently in the documentation phase, the project will offer an accessible, nature-rich environment that connects the community to the area's unique past, present, and future, supporting social interaction and environmental resilience for years to come.

Traditional Custodians

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung

Location

Brunswick, VIC

Scale

600 sqm

Year

2024

Client

Merri-bek City Council

Team

Merri-Bek City Council
Marcus Constructions
Urbania
ARUP
OPS Engineers
Manda Lane
Jenna Lee

260 Sydney Road Park Rendered Plan

"Merri Merri" meaning "very rocky" in Woi wurrung—the park immerses visitors in a forested green space featuring ancient rock walls, native planting, and natural materials. This design reconnects the community with the area’s geological roots and reflects a vision for a climate-resilient future.

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