Esperance Waterfront | Drawing

the Past to Future

By Land8: Landscape Architects Network on April 19, 2017No Comments / 260 views

By Niriti Porwal – A Review of Esperance Waterfront, by HASSELL, in Esperance,

Australia. The town of Esperance — located 720 kilometers southeast of Perth in
Western Australia — is experiencing a rapid urbanization, with the state’s population
expected to more than double by 2050. Esperance Waterfront, a 1.1-kilometer-long
site, was recently developed along the coast to meet the new infrastructural needs of
the town. This project is an addition to the worldwide portfolio of landscape
architecture that connects the landscape with the context for a sustainable urban
environment. Designated as a “Super Town” by the government, Esperance is
earmarked for strategic development to support the growth of its
town. HASSELL was chosen as the principal consultant for this waterfront renewal
project. The prime expectation was a development that would keep the essence of
the city alive while accommodating the future development the town is expected to
experience.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

The Design – Esperance

Waterfront
Wedding the Past to the Future
The design for the project draws its concept from the history of Esperance. To
implement it properly, HASSELL’S design team worked with the Shire to understand
the relationship of the people with the waterfront and how they see the development
in the future. The constructive conversations resulted in a few major interventions,
including a reclaimed headland, a continuous revetment along the promenade,
pavilions, and play space for family gatherings.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

Designs that Serve All

Programmatically rich, the design includes a plethora of activities that take into
account people of all age groups and interests. Reorienting the park as a family
destination was an important consideration, which has made the project lively. The
entrance to the site is marked by a whale tail sculpture located at the beachside
plaza at James Street. The intervention allows improved access to the waterfront
and connects the site with the historic town. Following the plaza, the reclaimed land
around the historic tanker jetty was planned to provide a vast area of 11,000 square
meters for public events and sports.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

The improved infrastructure and tourist attractions also support new business
ventures and invite private entrepreneurs and pop-up events. Along the stretch of
park, larger spaces are connected through meandering pathways and amenities
such as playgrounds, seating areas, barbecue stations, bike racks, picnic shelters,
shade sails, and public art. “We are really proud of our new waterfront, which has
truly enhanced the vibrancy of our town. On any given day, you can see people
strolling along it, walking their dogs or simply enjoying the view.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

It is very satisfying to see the waterfront being used so well and enjoyed by the
community,” Malcolm Heasman, president of the Shire of Esperance, said at the
waterfront’s opening. The completion of the Esperance Waterfront Project has
proved beneficial in two ways: First, it has provided the Esperance foreshore a
protection from coastal erosion; second, it has enhanced the site for recreational and
commercial development.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

Creating a Sense of Belonging

What makes the project unique is the connection between the site and people. To
create a sense of place, design decisions were made by involving historians, local
artists, and graphic designers. When one walks through the site, it narrates stories
about the indigenous, natural, and early settler history of the town. The experience is
enhanced by nodal points along the pathways, integrated with artistic signage. Public
art combined with distinctive flora and fauna at important places highlight significant
elements such as Sammy, the adored resident seal.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

The material palette is one of the creative inputs that give the project its identity and
sense of belonging to Esperance. Pink granite, which is native to Esperance, was
used for walls, paving, and the reclaimed jetty. Timber from the original railway line
that once served the jetty is also used for benches, walkways, and playground
features.
Foundation for the Future
The choice of plants for a landscape project is a crucial decision that brings
inclusiveness in varied design elements. However, the specification and
management of plantings, particularly ground cover and tree stock, becomes
challenging in a coastline environment, explains Anthony Brookfield, principal at
HASSELL.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

To overcome that challenge, the existing dunal system was integrated with the
revetment sea wall that runs along the site. The new wall follows the natural contour
to allow extensive planting areas, thereby reducing soil erosion. More than 63,000
new plants — 70 percent of which are endemic — accentuate the landscape design
of this waterfront. More than 1,000 new trees have been planted, including Norfolk
Pines, Swamp Sheoak, and Coastal Moort. The trees have been positioned
prudently to strengthen the foreshore structure and also become an attractive
shelter.
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

A New Lifeline
Esperance Waterfront has become one of the most conscious design solutions
speaking to context, accommodating the future needs of a growing population, and
at the same time being ecologically sensitive. According to the Shire of Esperance’s
2015 waterfront community and tourist satisfaction survey, more than 85 percent of
locals said the waterfront redevelopment met their expectations. Ninety percent of
locals use the foreshore every week. Esperance Waterfront is truly a cultural and
environmental restoration for a central foreshore community. What do you think?
How can landscape projects remain true to their context and yet fulfill the needs for
future development?
CLICK TO COMMENT
Esperance Waterfront. Photo credi: Peter Bennetts

Full Project Credits For Esperance Waterfront :

Project Name: Esperance Waterfront Location: Esperance, Australia Client: Shire of
Esperance Landscape Architect: HASSELL Scale: 8
hectares Year: 2015 Status: Completed Project Consultants: JDSi Consulting (Civil
Engineer), 3E Consulting Engineers (Lighting Design), Harriot Mair Landscape
Architect (Local Landscape Architect), CADSult (Irrigation), Beverley Iles (Artsource),
Paperbark Technologies (Arborist), Cartman Designs/HASSELL (Architect), Scott
Smalley Partnership (Structural Engineer), Griffiths Architects (Heritage Consultant),
Sime Building and Construction (Construction) Photography: Peter Bennetts Site
Plan: HASSELL Awards: 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards – Commendation for
Delivered Outcome – Large Scale 2016 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
(Western Australia) Awards – People’s Choice Award 2016 Australian Institute of
Architects (Western Australia) Awards – State Commendation for Urban
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