潜望镜罩丨澳大利亚悉尼丨supermanoeuvre

Firm： supermanoeuvre

Type： Commercial › Retail Cultural › Pavilion Sculpture Landscape + Planning › Urban Green Space

STATUS： Built

YEAR： 2020

BUDGET： $1M - 5M

Photos： Hamish McIntosh (14), Dave Pigram (1)

PERISCOPE CANOPY is a functional centrepiece and iconic gateway to a major urban renewal of the commercial core of Lane Cove in Sydney, Australia. The canopy’s sweeping form and mirrored-shingle underside creates a 'periscope' that visually connects subterranean supermarkets and parking with a public park, playground and eating precinct above.

Challenge

Periscope canopy is primarily about placemaking and as such fulfils numerous and diverse functions. It is a landmark: an iconic centrepiece and symbol of rejuvenation. It is a shelter from the sun and rain. It is a wayfinding apparatus.

A key challenge was that for most visitors the drawcard function — the supermarkets — and the points of arrival and departure are all underground. This created a strong risk that many would remain unaware of the new park, playground and restaurants on the surface diminishing their vitality and viability.

Solution

The ‘Periscope’ that gives the canopy its name is formed from over 2000 mirrored shingles covering its underside. This and literally allows people to see around corners, and from below the surface to above. In this way it serves its function as a wayfinding apparatus, making desired and desirable destinations visible [around corners and from below] and addressing the key challenge by ensuring the vitality above is draws visitors from below. And it is an experiential amplifier increasing the vitality of everyday life and the drama of our own and others’ movements. It spans the pragmatic to the poetic.

The project, won via an invited design competition, was designed in partnership with Scott Carver and delivered by ADCO Constructions.