The Adelaide Riverbank Precinct has a new plaza designed by ARM Architecture, catering for increased activities and public events.
Designed in conjunction with landscape architecture practice TCL and documented in collaboration with Aspect Studio, the plaza’s 8,600 square meters of public space allow for public and community activation with event-ready areas and play spaces.
ARM’s design references the South Australian landscape with an avenue of steel arbour structures, providing shade, scale and wind protection.
Image: Renae Schulz
The central premise for the plaza design was to maximize public space in a way that engaged with the natural environment. ARM’s design references the South Australian landscape with an avenue of steel arbour structures, providing shade, scale and wind protection.
A water feature takes inspiration from the rives of South Australia, inviting the public to engage with the mist jets and actively creating a cooler microclimate during harsher weather.
The opening of the new Festival Plaza has coincided with the events of Mad March, dubbed for its intersection of three cultural festivals: the Adelaide Fringe, the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writers Week.
ARM principal Philippe Naudin said the opening of the plaza has been particularly significant given the disruption to Adelaide’s March festivities in recent years due to COVID-19.
“After many years behind barriers, it’s wonderful that the space can be open during Adelaide’s vibrant Festival Season,” said Naudin. “Unlocking accessibility and reconnecting pedestrians with the city was key in this project and we’re thrilled to bring people back to this iconic part of Adelaide once again.”
The opening of the Festival Plaza is complemented by the recent completion of ARM’s redevelopment of the Adelaide Railway Station entry.
Image: Renae Schulz
Festival Plaza has been delivered under the second stage of ARM’s Adelaide Riverbank Masterplan, originally launched in 2011.
Stage one of the $662 million masterplan was completed in 2014, and around 60 per cent of the public area delivered under stage two.
“The renewed precinct accommodates multi-use functionality for event-goers as well as the everyday commuter, worker and school-goer,” said Naudin.
Once fully completed, the Riverbank Precinct will feature renewed open and walkable spaces, with eight dedicated places, including King William Road, Festival Plaza, Arts Space Plaza, Eastern Plaza, Station Road, the Northern Promenade and Adelaide Railway Station Entry Concourse.
The opening of the Festival Plaza is complemented by the recent completion of ARM’s redevelopment of the Adelaide Railway Station entry, which has allowed for greater pedestrian access.
