Reimagining the civic heart of a community.

A vital public space in the bustling suburb of Crows Nest.

Hume Street Plaza is a green pedestrian link from the shops on Willoughby Road to the Metro train station, which is currently under construction. Well-lit, welcoming, and sheltered from the weather, the space provides a safe public corridor for commuters. Designed in close consultation with the community, a main feature of the redevelopment is the central green lawn; it can be used for community events, markets, and gatherings to support the local economy, and it activates the surrounding streetscape by connecting to the adjacent community and childcare centres.

By working closely with the local Council and community, the design team created a comprehensive solution that best suits the needs of the client, the community, and the project.

The 1920s heritage brick façade on Willoughby Road has been preserved and provides entry to the public space. Pedestrians move through a covered laneway, passing cafés and a lush green wall of native Australian plants, before reaching the open-air plaza. The central lawn, which features the ‘M-Fortysix’ sculpture by local artist James Parrett, provides space for people to sit and enjoy the sunshine on their lunch break. A ring path encircles the green and connects pedestrians to the Metro’s Clarke Street entrance.

At night, visitors can enjoy the animated LED lighting feature, also designed by Parrett. Ignite worked closely with Arcadia Landscape to create a range of custom urban furniture for the space, while sustainable materials like sandstone and Darwin stringybark have been used for the plaza columns and seating; the bark is harvested by indigenous communities in North Queensland’s sustainable growth forests.

When the Metro train station opens in 2024, thousands of people are expected to use the pedestrian link to walk between the station and the village during peak hours.

“As part of a bigger vision to expand the existing Hume Park, the plaza is an important first step towards creating safe, welcoming public amenity in Crows Nest.”
- Jason Marriott, Director

• Location: Sydney, Australia
• Completed: June 2021
• 800 sqm of open space
• 400 sqm pedestrian link
• 10,000 expected users in morning peak-hour

PROJECT TEAM

• Jason Marriott
  Director
• Jose Dall'asta
  Associate Director