Proposition: The current planning results in the area are unremarkable, the requirements of a broader social context can be better served by allowing for an increased ground plane area accessible by those who work, live and visit the area. The area is currently a spatial and cultural wasteland ; a monoculture of commercial enterprise that gives little to the urban environment. As attempts have been made to increase density these conditions have prevailed. The site has an advantage of straddling a nine meter level change transversely across its length. We have made use of this by incorporating two levels of commercial and other space within this zone allowing the freeing up of the street level to extend through the site and beyond. A floor area to space ratio of 3:1 has been achieved whilst providing significant open spaces without resorting to high rise development. An axis is then able to be pushed through and under the built forms as an extension of the street connecting to the eastern point. Below the ever present adjacent apartment towers exists an oasis of semi tropical garden running along a creek behind houses and tennis courts. This minute green link creates moment of calm and respite in the otherwise unforgiving environment of the current situation.

The team wished to connect to and extend this existing link to the scheme creating a pedestrian street, courtyard and plaza network which in turn provides a basis for retail and cultural enlivening the spaces beyond the hours of the general working populace. “Big Brother” is a commercial block directly accessed from the main street and acts as the main gate way to the site. Smaller studio work and live spaces are contained within “Little Brother” The temptation to completely turn backwards to the rail line was resisted in place the site is allowed to open up to this adjacent open space. The interface between commuters and those occupying the site was considered important acknowledgement of location and the opportunity for these two modes of occupation to coexist even if fleetingly.