The Crescent by JMD Design

The Crescent is a resilient, highly integrated, connected and programmatically rich open space in Annandale, a suburb in the inner city of Sydney. The space was designed to complete the missing piece of the Johnston Creek Parklands puzzle and to connect the space to its greater surroundings along the Glebe Foreshore.

JMD design were engaged by the City of Sydney to lead the design and documentation for this project. The vision for the Crescent is for a space that adds to the diversity of recreational opportunities in the Parklands whilst further strengthening the unique sense of place and scale derived from the eclectic nature of the hybrid landscape.

JMD design, in collaboration with CONVIC, led a multidisciplinary team including TZG Architects, Lighting Art & Science, ACOR, Enstruct and TreeIQ to transform a fragmented industrial landscape into a revitalised, thriving urban ecosystem that provides a wide variety of recreational activities for the local and regional catchment adjacent to Blackwattle Bay and Glebe Harbour Foreshore. The project required management of flood, contamination and heritage considerations alongside continual and successful engagement with a range of community and other stakeholders including Transport for NSW and Roads and Maritime Services.

Key programmatic elements of the Crescent design include a unique inner-city skate plaza which celebrates the state heritage-listed brick viaduct that intersects the site and a bespoke All-Abilities playground suitable for a range of ages and capabilities. Other features include the provision of large open lawn areas for active and passive recreation whilst enhancing foreshore water views and access.

Reconnection to the foreshore and Blackwattle Bay was achieved by the removal of derelict buildings on site and the adaptive re-use of the viaduct, now accessible and connected with its surrounding streetscape and local neighbourhood of Annandale. Shared walking and cycling pathways were design following wayfinding principles and careful consideration of existing desire lines to maximise connectivity and promote walkability in line with the City’s 2030 strategy. In addition, barbecues and rest areas nestled carefully below groves of mature trees provide a pleasant setting for summertime gatherings.