Setting the Scene – The Escarpment by Fieldwork and Core Collective Architects
As the first major project to be outlined at Macquarie Point – an urban renewal area on the edge of the Hobart CBD – The Escarpment sets the scene for life in the precinct with apartments, retail, hospitality venues, short stay accommodation and public space included in the design of the three buildings. Together, architects Fieldwork and Core Collective Architects, developer Milieu and landscape architect Inspiring Place have envisioned a future for the site that emphasises sustainability, community and locality.
Responding to the proximity of the Hobart Cenotaph, waterfront and CBD, The Escarpment has been conceived as a place of public amenity as well as private inhabitation and enterprise. The green roof includes public open space, a bar and restaurant, and the buildings will offer all-day public access between Macquarie Point and the Cenotaph. Retail and hospitality activate the ground floors, while generous balconies on each level create a sense of openness and connection between the public and private areas.
From the earliest stages of development, The Escarpment has sought to prioritise sustainability. A focus on local suppliers and Tasmanian construction firms has been expressed as part of the proposal, reducing energy embodied in the transportation process. Apartments in the multi-use development will be carbon neutral and powered by renewable energy, including from a solar system atop the green roof. The design targets a 7.5-star NaTHERS rating and looks to passive design principles to reduce overall energy consumption. Electric vehicle and e-bike storage and charging have also been incorporated.
Representing a new chapter for the Macquarie Point site, The Escarpment will no doubt have a formative role to play in shaping the city for years to come.
