Marion Park Masterplan Edificios de Uso Mixto by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl

Marion Park Masterplan Edificios de Uso Mixto by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award de Bronce in Deseño de Arquitectura, Edificación e Estruturas Competition Category.

BronceArquitectura· 2024

Marion Park Masterplan Edificios de Uso Mixto

by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl

Client: Contreras Earl Architecture

A' Design Award de Bronce Winner in Arquitectura Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #161537

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Marion Park Masterplan Edificios de Uso Mixto

Marion Park pretende ser un fito arquitectónico icónico en Canberra, que encarna estándares ambientais, sociais e de gobernanza. Inspirado nas paisaxes indíxenas, os seus edificios orgánicos reflicten o terreo local. O entorno similar a un parque, mellorado a través das contribucións de deseño das Primeiras Nacións, ofrece espazos diversos. As opcións de vivenda priorizan a sustentabilidade e a asequibilidade, coa meta de uso de enerxía Cero Neto. Conforme cos plans da cidade, preserva a prominencia de Parliament House ao tempo que mellora o tecido urbano.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronce

Marion Park Masterplan Edificios de Uso Mixto gañou o A' Design Award de Bronce, un recoñecemento altamente prestixioso outorgado a deseños sobresaíntes que se distinguen pola creatividade, o enxeño e a sagacidade. Os gañadores Bronce son artefactos amplamente hábiles e sorprendentemente creativos que autentican a vasta experiencia, imaxinación e enxeño dos seus deseñadores. Espérase que Marion Park Masterplan Edificios de Uso Mixto sexa un obxecto moi apreciado, admirado e querido, notablemente profesional e innovador. Este deseño gañador do A' Design Award de Bronce incorpora as mellores prácticas da arte, a ciencia, o deseño e a tecnoloxía, e é excelente pola súa atención ao detalle. Marion Park Masterplan Edificios de Uso Mixto satisfai espléndidamente as necesidades, toca os desexos, encanta os sentimentos e atrae a curiosidade.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Marion Park master plan envisions an iconic architectural landmark in the heart of the Nation’s Capital, embodying top-tier environmental, social, and governance standards. It will offer diverse housing options, including affordable units, designed with sustainability and liveability in mind. Innovative Passiv Haus principles and onsite renewable energy generation will pave the way for economically viable pathways to Net Zero operation via Greenpower, ensuring a sustainable future.
Dimensions & Packaging: Combined the five buildings have a total of approximately 456 residential units, providing a variety of housing typologies designed to functionally meet the intergenerational requirements of individuals, partners and families.
The design consists of 2 corner elliptical buildings, each 17 stories and 3 mid-rise structures, each with seven levels. The project includes food and beverage outlets, commercial and retail offices and a community center allowing users to live and play within the district.
Tags: Masterplan, Mixed-Use, Residential, Commercial, Retail, Park
Production Technology: Our goal is to integrate sustainability into design, construction, and operation, aligning with City Renewal Authority's initiatives. We aim for Net Zero operation through onsite renewables and "Greenpower," using passive design and occupant sensing controls to minimize energy demand. These measures meet environmental, health, and economic objectives while supporting climate resilience and Authority's sustainability goals.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to develop a master plan that would meet sustainable targets with a unique organic design inspired by the surrounding nature on a prime located site.
Research: The research laying the fundamentals of the project are based around delivering sustainability initiatives. Key initiatives are passive solar design, optimizing natural ventilation, responsible water management, developing for a green city, growing for long term, maximizing green spaces and moving away from non-renewable energy sources.
Inspiration: Drawing on the same geographic elements which Walter Burley and Marion Mahoney Griffin used in their prize-winning design proposal for Canberra, we have strived to express in built form the indigenous landscape of Ngunnawal country. Each of the buildings has evolved with an organic topographical form reminiscent of the local hill side landscapes. Knowles Place has been considered as urban park emulating Lake Burley Griffin & the Molonglo River as they flow through the Parliamentary Triangle.
Project Duration: The project was master planned between June and August 2023.
Operation Flow: Passive design principles reduce cooling and heating demand, following Passiv Haus standards. Intelligent occupant sensing controls decrease energy usage by adjusting light and air-conditioning in unoccupied areas. Responsible water management is integrated with sustainability goals, aiming for net-zero carbon operation, Nathers 7-star rating, and adherence to Passiv Haus principles.
Team Members: Rafael Contreras
Monica Earl
Cesar Gonzalez
Zhiwei Jiang
Tim Jensen
Dwayne Liu
Client & Collaborator: WILLEMSEN GROUP
Sustainability - ARUP
Landscape Architect - URBIS