Victoria Square Visions

[Brando]

I voted for USD0081. I believe this is something that is would really attract people to the square. Along with appropriate cafe's and fine dining in the immediate vicinty, it would be sure to attract attention from all over the city.
Good, bold plan to run with and put the square on the map...

[Wayno]

I'd be happy with either 0019 or 0081.

0019 is elegant and low risk (and would be hard for the ACC to stuff up). 0081 has more of a "party atmosphere" about it, is more a more risky design, and could age quite quickly if not done well

[SRW]

Admittedly, there are a few interesting ideas in those proposals, but there's not one there that I'd be happy with. I agree that 0019 and 0081 are the best of the lot, but the concept of the former seems underdeveloped and the latter really isn't all that clear. I have an inkling that 0045 would be popular with Harbison.

I still think that KBR's general layout for the square is the best we've seen, and that it can be most easily modified to achieve something for everyone (it's lacking, in my view, only in vista and entertainment attractions).

[Shuz]

0019 has 48% of the public vote, 0045 has 22%.

[Wayno]

hey monotonehell, did you submit design 0019?

It's similar to your design from earlier in this thread (although without the underpass) ==> http://www.sensational-adelaide.com/for ... d=a#p28389

[Düsseldorfer]

I can't believe I missed USD0081! WOW! This is what we need. Imagine driving across that arched bridge at night time passing the large screens and seeing all the people, lights and action below. We desparately need something daring like this. Turning that beautiful old domed courthouse back into a department store would work nicely too.

For some reason USD0081 looks very very American and will look nice at present, will attract lots of people for a few years but will probably be outdated in 10 years or less, this would get my vote if it were for Mosley Sq Glenelg or Semaphore (for when the tram is extended there), it looks like it would suit one of those beach areas

I think ESD0019 is the way to go, it is simple and efficient and blends in well with the surrounding areas of Law Courts, Offices and Markets

[Cam]

Its good to have both a public meeting place and elevated view , so I would pick the Northern part of 81 and the Southern part of 19 .

[ozisnowman]

What a f...ing joke this has turned out to be... Harbo gets elected for not supporting
a perfectly great plan for the victoria square now they come up with these non inspiring
plans. They should just adopt the KBR plan from a few years back and build it with
an underpass under grote/wakefield street.

[Wayno]

What a f...ing joke this has turned out to be... Harbo gets elected for not supporting
a perfectly great plan for the victoria square now they come up with these non inspiring
plans. They should just adopt the KBR plan from a few years back and build it with
an underpass under grote/wakefield street.

i don't think any of the proposed plans include an underpass - probably considered too costly...

[Wayno]

The more i think about it, ESD0019 is a good design that offers many useful & intimate spaces ==> http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/pdf/esd0019.pdf

• * Amphitheatre: I presume seating is proposed for the northern and southern sides? Can't really tell from the pikkie. The northern side will be great at lunchtime (esp during winter - take advantage of those sunny days). The southern side is ideal for performances (good to have the sun behind you - it's no fun squinting during performances).
  * Western side: Two nice little courtyards here. This is a perfect place for a tram stop! Great for sunday markets, etc. I don't suggest any permanent facilities be built, instead make use of "mobile" or "semi-permanent" cafe/bar/restaurant facilities (yes, another temporary structure in Adelaide - but i think it works best). A large screen could even be discretely attached to the overpass wall on the northern courtyard!
  * Eastern side: Two pretty little lawned areas, shady trees, presumably a few park benches, etc. Will be nice over this side mid-afternoon during those hot summer days.
  * On Top: excellent elevated view down each major boulevard. Good photo opportunity for tourists.
  * Traffic: I think it's appropriate to keep traffic flowing all around the square. There's something nice (good feng-shui?) in the symmetry, even if it means pedestrians need to cross the road to access the open spaces.

The only thing it lacks is a large piece of art, preferably with height (50+metres) that acts as a beacon to draw tourists towards the square.

[Shuz]

I agree with you on all points Wayno - with the exception of the 'art beacon' idea.

This square, which very few people people outside may actually notice is a place in honour of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria as I understand is a key part of Australia's heritage... being the Queen when we were founded or federated, something highly significant at least. Her statue, her representation at present is vastly overlooked, as it is demeanoured by her presence in the median strip of the Grote/Wakefield throughfare. It seems as if over time, we have come to depreciate this space, particularly its namesake and its sidekick statue which now has slowly and silently been placed in the forgotten treasures box. This statue's heritage, its belonging to the square, I think is pivotal to the revitalisation of the square - and the design concept of 0019 addresses this in the perfect context. Elevating her presence above the common ground is a symbolic representation to the change of time, it represents a resurgence to the importance of our past, and by harmonising the principles of old and new - the statue's elegance and importance, although small, acts as an artistic beacon of our own. Let us accept this as a landmark, like Mona Lisa is to the Louvre in Paris. This is our Queen Victoria of Victoria Square in Adelaide.

[Düsseldorfer]

The more i think about it, ESD0019 is a good design that offers many useful & intimate spaces ==> http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/pdf/esd0019.pdf

• * Amphitheatre: I presume seating is proposed for the northern and southern sides? Can't really tell from the pikkie. The northern side will be great at lunchtime (esp during winter - take advantage of those sunny days). The southern side is ideal for performances (good to have the sun behind you - it's no fun squinting during performances).
  * Western side: Two nice little courtyards here. This is a perfect place for a tram stop! Great for sunday markets, etc. I don't suggest any permanent facilities be built, instead make use of "mobile" or "semi-permanent" cafe/bar/restaurant facilities (yes, another temporary structure in Adelaide - but i think it works best). A large screen could even be discretely attached to the overpass wall on the northern courtyard!
  * Eastern side: Two pretty little lawned areas, shady trees, presumably a few park benches, etc. Will be nice over this side mid-afternoon during those hot summer days.
  * On Top: excellent elevated view down each major boulevard. Good photo opportunity for tourists.
  * Traffic: I think it's appropriate to keep traffic flowing all around the square. There's something nice (good feng-shui?) in the symmetry, even if it means pedestrians need to cross the road to access the open spaces.

The only thing it lacks is a large piece of art, preferably with height (50+metres) that acts as a beacon to draw tourists towards the square.

Pedestrian access could be improved with an underpass which could go straight into the central markets...just wish they could have done this at the railway station's tram stop (there's already an under-pass there, all those times i've missed the tram because the lights are poorly timed, and they didn't think to build one!!! end rant )

ESD0019 should be chosen for the square, it seems to be the most popular and probably the cheapest/easiest to build and there's still room to build something that is 50+meters (maybe a mini Eiffel Tower or something like that)

[AtD]

Seperated at birth?

[Wayno]

I agree with you on all points Wayno - with the exception of the 'art beacon' idea.

Maybe there is scope for "temporary" art beacons with ESD0019? I'd actually like to see something different every year, with a public unveiling on the same date. Ideally around Oct/Nov as a kick-off to a week long festival (we need more fun events).

As an idea: an annual unveiling could occur on the same day as a procession of old-time classic vehicles from each major wine district (McLaren Vale, Barossa, Clare, Adelaide Hills) converge on Vic Sq, each with a load of "the grapes of the season" ready for a good foot stomping! Now that would be fun!

I know i've digressed from the topic at hand, but talking about change makes me think about more change...

This square, which very few people people outside may actually notice is a place in honour of Queen Victoria.
<snip>

Yep, i strongly agree - this has been overlooked in most discussions to date. I believe ESD0019 re-strengthens the bond back to Queen Victoria.

And well spotted AtD, ESD0019 does look like a mini-canberra!

[Maximus]

Adding my vote for ESD 0019.

It's simple but interesting and unites the square without interrupting traffic flow. I also like how it elevates the Queen Victoria statue and gives a slightly elevated view of the city.

Agreed that it should be simple to implement (and difficult to stuff up) and I also like Dusseldorfer's suggestion for a pedestrian subway to the Central Market.