Sydney Fish Market

The New Sidney Fish Market The brief from Urban Growth NSW was to rejuvenate Sydney Fish Market and create a world class food and dining destination on the inner harbour that will be dynamic, sustainable, and sympathetic to the local area. The New Sydney Fish Market will establish a world-class “foodie” destination. The project seeks to set in place an exemplary example of integrating the public realm and contemporary market space that will become a landmark in Sydney’s unique harbour-based urban landscape. The new market will place people at the centre of the architectural response, with an emphasis on place-making to foster a strong sense of community at Blackwattle Bay. Connectivity - A precinct approach The new market is to be located on the water and a park, and across the promenade. But, rather than allowing the new building to become disruptive of the connection between the existing qualities, the design treats the New Sydney Fish Market as a critical component of the community: a catalyst for a strengthened relationship, both physically and through the identity, it offers to locals and visitors alike. In its waterfront location the design aims to solve the challenges of rising water levels and establishing closer connection between the city and the water, as well as the revitalization of industrial waterfronts. The design goes beyond the primary function as a fish market and treats the new building as a critical component in catalyzing life and community. The new market is placed between an industrial port and a public park, and midway between two separated walking stretches. The market building creates new connections between existing qualities and create added value from them. It is used to connect the two walking paths for one continuous stretch, and connects the park with the water that was previously separated by infrastructure. By integrating nature into the building, an active link is created between the peaceful green park and the vibrant, social spaces of the markets, drawing the surroundings and its visitors into and through the market towards the water. Visibility, accessibility and penetration are allowed through permeable edges that gesture well beyond the site boundaries, reaching out towards neighboring communities and the city. Blurred edges interlock the public domain and share spaces, giving back to the life and culture of the future Bays Precinct. People and communities are at the center of any architectural response, with an emphasis on spaces that encourage collaboration and communication and foster a strong sense of community. Water activities Water is the pivot point for the visitors and daily users alike. Being located right on the edge between land and sea it important that the design exploits the rich potentials for activities and attractions this location offers which will include promenade swimming pool, fishing platforms, urban sea farming, viewing platforms, quay and pontoon decks and tiered seating into the water. Association of different programs As a significant community and tourist destination, the New Sydney Fish Market needs to facilitate easy social interaction. As an operating sea port and market wholesaler, the New Sydney Fish Market needs to enable uninterrupted function. Without one, the other does not exist. The prominence of the location seeks a unique response that requires the functional nature of the market to sit within and become integral to the extension of the harbor network and Sydney’s public waterfront domain. While its key operation is industrial by nature, the ambition is to maintain focus on human scale and fine grain urban form within the city fabric. The New Sydney Fish Market will be a multi-functional space hosting restaurants, retail, events and leisure activities alongside the fish market integrating multiple functions. Everything must be integrated into harmonious union and work undisturbed by each other, making flow, intuitive navigation and logic separation central to the design challenge. The primary users of the fish market are the fishermen, restaurateurs and retailers, for whom it is important that the facility is fully operational. Rather than think of the public urban space and features as conflicting with the daily operation of the industrial fish market, the design adds an extra dimension. Platforms, bridges and interior walkways allows separation of different forms of flow while at the same time offering an experience of closeness. The audience have an overview of the daily chores of the market creating a holistic experience for the visitors where they feel welcome and can move around freely. sustainability The New Sydney Fish Market works with environmental, social and economic sustainability, based on holistic considerations of how these elements can be incorporated to enrich and enhance the architecture. Thus, sustainability is not merely a question of technical solutions, but very much about informing the architectural decisions from early in the design process. For the Sydney Fish Market, focus will be on the roof, the water, the promenade and the tectonics. Having a lager building of with large surface areas, its paramount to have a robust strategy for dealing with exposure to sun and rain. The roof geometry is utilized for energy production and self-shade, as well as rainwater collection and recycling. The promenade will engage the public and boost commercial value through integrated water cleaning features and lush greenery. Sydney Fish Market will be designed for continuous flexibility and end of use recycling of materials. Sydney Fish Market will utilize seawater for cooling, recycle rainwater as part of the operation, and implement water features that enhance experience and enjoyment such as fountains and urban sea farming. Adaptability The internal structure of the building is modularly built, which allows phased construction and later extensions / changes without compromising the architectural concept. During the life of the building, both on day, week, month and year basis, the modules can be replaced and move around to support changes in need. The modular Design also helps in future maintenance and any remodeling, as all materials can be recycled in so-called plug-n-play way because they are designed to be separated, moved, etc.