Darling Quarter

Urban Design Case Study

By Aishwarya Santosh Kamble
 Introduction
Project Name: Darling Quarter
Project Location: Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW, Australia 
Date Started : 2007
Completion Date: 2011
Site Size : 3.7 acres
Project Type : Mixed Use (Redevelopment)
Location Type: Central Business District
Land Uses:
Civic Uses, Office, Open space, Performance Space, Restaurant, Retail
 Overview
• The Darling Quarter is a major rejuvenation project aimed at urban development in the south-eastern
part of Darling Harbour precinct in Sydney, Australia.

• It involves the redevelopment of the 1.5ha former SEGA World Complex site, into commercial office
and leisure space in Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD).

• Darling Quarter was designed by Australian architectural practice firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp
(FJMT). Aspect Studios provided the urban landscape design. The A$500m mixed-use project is one of
the largest commercial developments in Sydney.

• The Darling Quarter project has revitalized the former Sega World site at Darling Harbour with a focus
on place making, good design and community activation.

• Lend Lease have brought stakeholders and community together to generate a shared vision of place
that recognizes the Darling Harbour precinct’s importance as a major family and tourist destination.
The precinct is now activated seven days a week, night and day.
 Principles
Principle: Enhancing
The following place making initiatives have enhanced the site:
Playground – the largest inner-city playground in Sydney.
Retail Terrace – a mix of bars, restaurants, cafes and convenience stores.
Children’s Theatre – the first dedicated theatre for children.
Community Green – an open turfed area for people to picnic and relax..
Illuminated Façade – the entire western façade of the buildings becomes an interactive digital
canvas with low energy lights and solar power.
Feature Lighting – throughout the Darling Quarter, feature lighting creates a vibrant nighttime
precinct, dining experience and the first illuminated playground with low energy lighting.

Principle: Connected

This renews and reinforces the pedestrian spine.  The

development included underground public parking
and upgrades to roads and pedestrian crossings to
allow clear sight lines, making the ground plane safer
for pedestrians and cyclists.
 Principles
Principle: Diverse
Darling Quarter is a mixed-use place that integrates a vibrant public
domain with a commercial development. There are various attractions for
families at the site including retail facilities, the children’s theatre, the
playground and the community green. 

. 

Principle: Comfortable
Natural materials, bench seating and shade provided by native trees and
plants create a relaxed atmosphere. The place attracts visitors at all times
of the day and night, helping to make it a comfortable environment for all
at any time of the day or night. Low energy public domain lighting with
dimming switches is provided throughout the site to maximize both safety
and energy efficiency. The playground incorporates natural materials, its
low walls and edges become seats for parent surveillance and its stairs and
planted areas are designed to encourage social interaction.
 Principles
Principle: Enduring
Darling Quarter is setting the benchmark for green precincts.
Environmental initiatives have been setup on the site to
ensure that it is sustainable in the long term. Commonwealth
Bank Place, a low-rise campus-style commercial
development on the site has been awarded world leadership
status by the Green Building Council of Australia. It includes
the first buildings to achieve 6 Star Green Star – Office As
Built v3 rating in Australia.

Principle: Safe
The place is in use 24 hours a day, helping to make it an inviting
place to visit at any time of the day or night. Safety at night-time
is maximized through low energy public domain and building
lighting with dimming switches, which also maximize energy
efficiency. Changes to roads, parking and pedestrian walkways at
the site have improved the safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
 Principles
Principle: Vibrant
Darling Quarter is an example of successful urban renewal and place.
making. Feature lighting throughout the precinct helps to create a vibrant
night-time precinct. The entire western façade of the buildings on the site
becomes a 160m long interactive digital canvas with low energy lights and
offset by solar power. The public can interact with the facade by altering
light sequences from interactive screens located in the public domain.

Principle: Walkable
The redevelopment has greatly improved the walkability. Wide on grade
pedestrian routes through the place provide connections from Darling
Harbour to the CBD and neighboring sites. The redevelopment also
included upgrades to roads to allow clear sight lines and underground
public parking, making the ground plane safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
 Key Outcomes

• Significant CO2 reductions through energy efficient HVAC, lighting and vertical
transportation systems together with trigeneration which provides cleaner electricity, heat
and cooling to the building.

• Potable water reductions in excess of 90% through efficiency and recycling measures.

• Rainwater is collected and distributed to the adjacent park for irrigation purposes.

• Key technologies used include passive chilled beam air conditioning system, trigeneration
and blackwater treatment and reuse.

• Secure bicycle storage and showering facilities to encourage bicycle use and fitness activity.
Few Photographs of Darling
Quarter