Landscape precincts
General
The following descriptions provide direction for the ongoing development of the five principal precincts within the overall campus. While each precinct has its own character, it also integrates with and contributes to the overall integrity of the campus landscape.
Precincts
Campus entry precinct
Central spine precinct
Carparks and open areas adjacent the core campus buildings
Sports precinct
Lake front precinct
Campus entry precinct
Overview
Commencing along Sippy Downs Road the entry to the campus takes a sinuous line along the entrance drive adjacent the Innovation Centre before entering the semi-circular road leading to the main campus. Excellent views along the Central Spine and across the Entrance Lawns are possible from the road. University Park is located on the north side of the entrance road.
Planting
A loose avenue of tall Eucalypts are located in the central median of the entry road and along the outer edge of the semi-circular portion of the journey. The Entrance Lawns are irrigated and dotted with groups of large eucalypts. Areas on the outer side of the roads are open woodland with native trees over a generally dry grassland.
The Central Spine planting of informal lines of Eucalypt extends across the Entrance Lawns to the entry road.
Paving
A bitumen shared bicycle/pedestrian path provides safe access along the north side of the entrance road and around the outer edges of the semi-circular road. This leads to the main campus buildings and the adjacent schools. Paths which line the Central Spine extend across the Entrance Lawn to the entry road. These are of a generous 3.0m width and constructed from consolidated local granitic sand.
Lighting
A high level of lighting illuminates the University entrance sign, the Innovation Centre, Entrance Roads, shared use path, and Central Spine paths. No lighting is required in the adjacent open woodland or Entrance Lawns.
Furniture
Wayfinding signage directs visitors to the main campus, sports precinct and other destinations. Amenities such as seating are provided adjacent the Innovation Centre and within University Park . Seating is provided along the shared use path and central spine paths.
Special aspects
The Central Spine axis flows into the Entrance Lawn with the central lawn sculpted into a distinctive earth sculpture consisting of a series of subtley changing, interweaving mounds. The primacy of the view down the Central Spine is retained.
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Central Spine precinct
Overview
The Central Spine is the principal organising element within the campus. It extends from the entrance road to the main lake with six groups of buildings either side.
While forming a strong rectilinear and formal element as a whole, the space changes character along its length in response to variations in levels of activity and the functions of adjacent buildings, ie:
- entrance lawns: open with sculpted lawn
- grid section 1: formal partially paved square
- grid section 2: raised grass with central path
- grid section 3: high activity node with mix of grass and paving
- grid section 4: open grass space with central path
- grid section 5: paved and grass square (possibly roofed)
- grid section 6: open grass space with central path
- lake front: open grass with paved lake promenade and boardwalk
Planting
Tall Eucalypts in loose groupings line each side of the central lawn.
Paving
Colonnades on either side of the spine are paved with red brick, as are cross paths within each grid section. Cross link paths are in-situ concrete. Special paving such as sandblasted in-situ concrete or pavers are utilised at points of high activity such as adjacent the library and along the waterfront.
Lighting
Bollard lights line central and cross link paths. Collonades are lit from building mounted lights. The lake front is lit with 4m high pole lights. Feature lighting highlights the facades of buildings abutting the spine.
Furniture
Generally in-situ concrete seat walls provide seating. In high use areas these are topped with timber slats.
Special aspects
In areas of special importance along the spine, such as adjacent the Chancery and Library, under planting is utilised to add detail and spatial definition to paved plazas or lawns.
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Carparks and open areas adjacent to the core campus buildings
Overview
Car parks and open areas which extend out from the core buildings to the main perimeter entrance road.
Planting
Tall trees which provide shade and allow clear views beneath. Within open areas trees are grouped and read as an extension of the adjacent parkland landscape. Cross link paths are defined by a medium height evergreen shade tree of distinctive foliage colour and/or shape.
The major drain which traverses the north side of the core campus area is lined with a limited palette of riparian species which highlight this important element within the campus landscape.
Furniture
Casual bench seats are located beneath groups of shade trees in the open areas. Wayfinding signage directs visitors to core buildings.
Special aspects
Service buildings are screened from view by appropriately located plantings. The major drain to the north of the core buildings forms a pond adjacent Building … which is both a local feature within the landscape and a means by which pollution and sediment is filtered from stormwater.
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Sports precinct
Overview
This precinct runs along the northern boundary of the site and encompasses the sports fields, courts, pools, stadium and associated buildings. The southern edge abuts the bushland zone and the northern edge is the interface with the adjacent high school and Town Centre.
Planting
Generally the sports fields and numerous buildings in this precinct are set within a parkland landscape of tall native trees over irrigated or dry grassland. Some intense low shrub or native grass plantings occur adjacent buildings to highlight entries and define outdoor spaces.
Paving
Paving is generally bitumen or in-situ concrete in keeping with the low key and informal character of the precinct.
Lighting
Confined to carparks and building entrances, and the major paths to the core campus and the north-south path between the high school and Chancellor Park.
Furniture
Apart from formal spectator seating, little furniture is required in this zone. Wayfinding signage identifies major paths to the core campus, school and Chancellors Park and directs visitors to sports fields and buildings.
Special aspects
The northern edge of the precinct abuts the adjacent high school and Town Centre. The landscape character and location of connecting paths should provide a strong link which blurs the campus boundary.
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Lake front precinct
Overview
The area between the core campus buildings and the lakes, encompassing the formal lakeside promenade, boardwalk out over the lake, grassed amphitheatre and water garden.
Planting
Generally tall Eucalypt open woodland over irrigated grass. An avenue of evergreen shade trees line the lakeside promenade. The Water Garden has a variety of riparian and wetland species including trees, shrubs, grasses and sedges. The central spine Eucalypt lines extend to the lakeside promenade.
Paving
The central spine colonnade paths extend to the lakeside promenade. They are surfaced in stabilised local granitic sand. The lakeside promenade is a generous 5.0m wide in-situ concrete walkway creating a formal edge to the lake. The boardwalk is a generous timber structure extending out into the lake.
Lighting
The lakeside promenade is illuminated by 4.0m high pole lights. The Central Spine paths are illuminated by bollard lights. Feature lighting could be incorporated into the lake edge and boardwalk to create a highlight at the termination of the central spine.
Furniture
Seating is provided along the lakeside promenade and boardwalk. This should be purpose designed as an integral element within the overall lakeside treatment. Casual seating is also located within the Water Garden and the open parkland north of the Central Spine.
Special aspects
The Water Garden is a special landscape space described elsewhere in the Master Plan. The amphitheatre is a sloping grassed space formed by earth mounding and reinforced by perimeter tree planting. The open grassed areas north and south of the central spine are suited to the siting of major sculptural works which could be viewed against the backdrop of the lake and buildings.
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