PROJECT
DIRECTOR
DESIGN
MANAGEMENT
PLACE
MAKING
INNOVATION
PRECINCT
BICYCLE
SYSTEMS
WALKABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY
TRANSPORT
INTEGRATION
STAKEHOLDER
ENGAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT
CONTROLS
WORKSHOPS
DEVELOPMENT
RETAIL
PLANNING
BUSINESS
CASE
ROLE: Project Director and Design Manager
CLIENT: Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University (WSU) is growing from its more suburban roots with new CBD campus buildings and the renewal of strategic campus precincts injected with new uses, partnerships and opportunities. This strategy also seeks to secure new sources of funding for the University - with the Parramatta North campus ripe for redevelopment as a dynamic mixed-use precinct accommodating market rate and student housing, retail, and community facilities while still serving a tertiary education function. WSU also are looking to secure enduring sources of income to invest in new programs, services and facilities for Western Sydney.
The project saw the preparation of a master plan and rezoning planning application as the first step in a 10-year redevelopment program for the site.
David Barnard acted as the Project Director and Design Manager for the project, directing a multi-disciplined team of consultants, including:
David and his team prepared a detailed Project Delivery Plan, ran regular design meetings and workshops, commissioned technical consultants, managed the project budget, and reported to the WSU Project Control Group Executive. Also, as the Designer Director, David led workshops with stakeholders, including the University executive, Parramatta City Council, RMS, and Property NSW.
The master plan had a particular emphasis on creating a new residential community integrating public open space, desirable streets, transport access, campus academic and student facilities, community amenities, precinct walkability and public realm character. Also, the plan sought to establish new neighbourhood connections as the broader area redevelops, including a link over James Rouse Drive to another large redevelopment site managed by Property NSW.
The master plan also further integrated sustainability elements into the project, including WSUD, built-form orientation, solar access and dwelling diversity.
“A connected precinct where the Western Sydney University values of equity and inclusiveness, establishing a sustainable legacy at the intersection of the local community and the University.”
Western Sydney University project vision, 2017
WSU will remain a long-term participant and owner in the precinct, controlling the uses incorporated into the community, including commercial office, retail, education, child care and other spaces provided to foster innovation and integrate with the academic programs of the broader University. This ownership provided an extra level of due diligence required to understand WSU’s exposure to the risks, opportunities and legacy of the project as a good citizen in the future community.
This project was one of six concurrent projects under development by WSU at the time and was the only submission to be completed on schedule and budget. The success of this process was through defining a clear shared vision between the client, project team, stakeholders and approval authority owned and led by David throughout the process.
Design Bureau (on Wallumedegal land) acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and thrive.
We respect and learn from their cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters, sky, and communities and their enduring contributions.