choi ropiha fighera: ballast point park

‘ballast point park’ by choi ropiha fighera located in balmain, new south wales, australia images © brett boardman

australia-based practice choi ropiha fighera has completed ‘ballast point park’ located in balmain, new south wales, australia. overlooking the scenic sydney harbor, the park is perched high upon a headland projecting from the prominent cliffs. early settlers originally used this area to quarry rock used for ballast. to maintain a historically and aesthetic connection with the site and incorporate sustainable materials, ballast was introduced within steel caging for perimeter walls and as a gravel for ground surfacing.

entrance to the rest area

the pavilion’s minimal steel framing responds to the area’s industrial aesthetic while leaving a framework for the shading elements. bright yellow seat belt webbing is woven around metal rods creating a delicate pattern in the roof plane. the sun’s rays are filtered through the strips producing a dappled lighting effect on the ground. this effect is complimented by thin vertical hardwood slats which clad the entrances to the public restrooms. low profile walls lead visitors towards a stairway which transitions down the steep rock face and towards the waterfront.

entry to public restrooms

poured in place concrete sink basins

view of sydney harbor from rest area

stairs connecting rest area to waterfront

stairway entrance from waterfront

view of rest area from waterfront

detail of roof shade

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.