OXFORD FALLS
Completed 2000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
In 1999 Peace Park Design Team - Shelley Indyk, Anne Grimes-Architects, Alfred Bernhard Landscape Architect and Bridget Macarthur-Sculptor, won an Expressions of Interest with Warringah Council, to create a Peace Park in and around an historic single room Schoolhouse at Oxford Falls.
The Peace Park was designed to both commemorate the fact that the schoolhouse had also been used as the call up centre for the local men for World War II, and the hope that war would not occur again in our lifetime.
A largely landscape based project, the small Park had to provide noise protection from the noisy Wakehurst Parkway; a place of solitude and delight for the community; and a place for both contemplation and commemoration.
A series of sandstone walls dominate the concept, spiralling out to hold and protect the overall site. Inner low walls define grassy platforms while slightly higher walls define the ‘still centre’ and the ‘commemorative wall’.
Facilities in the form of dry compost toilets were also provided off the great stone wall and a hardwood timber deck and ramp, were added to the existing Schoolhouse for outdoor events. The Peace Park has a sister city connection in Japan, with yearly shared commemoration services held.
CLIENT:
Warringah Council
VALUE OF PROJECT:
$400,000
DESIGN TEAM:
Shelley Indyk
Anne Grimes
Alfred Bernhard
Bridget Macarthur
AWARDS:
Warringah Council Community Project Award