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Marion Park Masterplan Bastiments d'Usatge Mixt by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl

Marion Park Masterplan Bastiments d'Usatge Mixt by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award de Bronze in Arquitectura Competition Category.


BronzeArquitectura· 2024

Marion Park Masterplan Bastiments d'Usatge Mixt

by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl

Client: Contreras Earl Architecture

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Arquitectura Category

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The Design

About Marion Park Masterplan Bastiments d'Usatge Mixt

Marion Park vòl èsser un repèra arquitectural emblematic a Canberra, encarnant d'estandards ambientals, socials e de governança. Inspirat pels paisatges indígenas, sos bastiments organics espelhan lo terrèn local. L'environament de tipe parc, enriquit per las contribucions de concepcion de las Premieras Nacions, ofrís d'espacis divèrses. Las opcions d'abitatge priorisan la sostenibilitat e l'accessibilitat, visent un usatge d'energia net zèro. Confòrme amb los plans urbanistics, preserva la prominéncia del Parliament House en melhorant lo teissu urban.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Marion Park Masterplan Bastiments d'Usatge Mixt a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze, una reconeissença plan prestigiosa acordada a de designs excellents que se destrian per la creativitat, l'engenh e la finessa. Los ganhaires del Bronze son d'artefactes largament abils e sorprenentament creatius que provan la vasta experiéncia, l'imaginacion e l'engenhositat de lors designers. S'espèra que Marion Park Masterplan Bastiments d'Usatge Mixt siá un objècte fòrça considerat, admirat e estimat, notablament professional e innovant. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze integra las melhoras practicas de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia e es excellent per son atencion al detalh. Marion Park Masterplan Bastiments d'Usatge Mixt satisfa esplendidament los besonhs, toca los desirs, encanta los sentiments e interèssa la curiositat.

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

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