Sydney's central business district is filled with bustling streets and historical laneways, each with their own character and individual attractions. Barrack Street, located near Wynyard Station and Martin Place, currently lacks the character and appeal that this prime location could facilitate at this end of town. 

 

This project focuses on re-activating the street by designing a public space for the community that will bring people back into this part of the city and surrounding retail stores, with a specific focus on developing a concept for the building on the corner of Barrack and George Streets - the Atara Laneway Project. This building is to include a cafe/restaurant development that will transition between lunch time business workers and night time entertainment, and bring life and vibrancy back into to the area. The project also has to include a space for the current tenants, Bankwest, in which they can perform their work but also change the way in which people do their banking.

​

The aim of the Atara Laneway Project is to connect Barrack Street back to George Street and Martin Place, on the opposite side, and to activate it during the morning, daytime, and late at night. The key element driving the concept is that of an Atrium space, focusing mainly on the way in which an atrium can incorporate nature and a modern lifestyle to create a functional and aesthetic space.

​

Atara’s atmosphere will change from a calming and peaceful retreat for lunchtime crowds during the day, to a bustling hub for the city's nightlife with a multi-functional interior that includes a cafe, restaurant, bar, outdoor entertainment space, conference/meeting rooms, weekend markets and nightclub. This is achieved by connecting the restaurant and café to the street outside through a similarity of materials and feeling of nature; drawing people to its epicentre.

 

The use of natural timbers and tree-like mesh structures which protect the trees down the street and allow for power to be connected to the tables connected to the mesh structures, provide a break in the city landscape creating the illusion of a space wrapped in nature. The muted palette of whites, light greys and timber is contrasted with the greens of the trees and design accents, such as the vines along the café counter and green wall around the ATM on the street, as well as the iconic orange of the Bankwest logo. This adds interest and complexity to the nature focused design by adding bright colours to the typically subdued colours of nature.

 

The trees run down the centre of Barrack Street and act as functional meeting points with tables and chairs setup as a workspace. They are covered in a protective mesh that also allows for a power supply to be stored within them. The power supply would be stored at the base of the trees inside the mesh and would harness the solar power collected in the canopy above. These elements combined create an outdoor workspace as well as a social environment for friends to meet over a coffee or after-work drinks. The cafe and bar also act as an alternative, informal office setting for bank tellers, where customers can speak to them in a much more relaxed and informal manner, or book in to see someone in the office for more private meetings.

​