Flood Proof Urban Design

Brisbane Gets Serious about Flood Proof Design.

The worlds first flood proof Ferry terminal has just been awarded the Good Design of the year Award 2017 in Australia. The set of ferry terminals in Brisbane by Aurecon and Cox Rayner Architects (now Cox Architecture) with landscape architecture by Lat27 has been turning heads for its contemporary angular design features. In 2011 the existing ferry terminal was destroyed by tidal surges but the new pontoon can survive a freak weather event (every 500 years), accommodating the rivers tidal range of 2 metres. The design is the product of a design competition instigated by the Queensland government after the tidal surge of 2011.

The new ferry terminal is infact a series of 8 terminals all connected by landscape architecture that any riverside city would be proud of, using local plant species and incorporating green transport routes for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

The judges were also impressed with the level of collaboration within the multidisciplinary team that included architects, engineers, and landscape architects. They were also excited by its potential to be replicated globally which could save lives and potential costly damage during freak weather events at smaller Ferry Terminals such as the one at Brisbane. Perhaps even larger terminal could learn from its technology too.  

Brisbane Ferry Terminals designed by Aurecon and Cox Rayner Architects (now Cox Architecture), landscape architecture by Lat27. Images courtesy of Landscape Australia taken by Christopher Frederick Jones

Links- https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/Three-urban-design-projects-awarded-at-2017-Good-Design-Awards/#img=0