UK practices David Chipperfield Architects (DCA) and Assemble, and Australian landscape architect Jane Irwin have created a masterplan for an interconnected residential neighbourhood on a former dairy farm in Canberra.
Dairy Road is a 14-hectare site between the suburb of Fyshwick and the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. In 2021, the state government rezoned Dairy Road, expanding its existing industrial activity to allow for commercial, light industrial, residential, creative and cultural activity.
Since rezoning, develoepr Molonglo, DCA, Assemble and Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture have been developing a masterplan for a new community neighbourhood, interconnecting the assets of the site from industry to living in one “ecosystem”. “Light industry, working, living, recreation, retail and entertainment will take place in a restored landscape,” a spokesperson for the developer said.
Dairy Road residential neighbourhoods designed by David Chipperfield Architects, Assemble and Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture.
Image: Courtesy of Molonglo
The site currently features the adaptive reuse of two existing industrial warehouses, dating back to the 1970s, augmented with architectural insertions by Craig Tan Architects and Oculus Landscape Architecture and a pavilion by Chilean practice Pezo von Ellrichshausen. Dairy Road is presently home to a community of makers and producers including a brewery, distilleries, coffee roasters, creative co-working, a gallery, and an industrial design studio.
Over ten years, the developer proposes to build ten new flexible warehouse buildings to support a spectrum of activities, from work studios to community centres. Housing will entail 13 buildings by DCA, between three and four storeys, accommodating 700 future residents arranged around a restored wetland.
Landscape will be central to the design, responding to the sensitive ecosystem of the existing neighouring wetlands.
The first new buildings are expected to be completed in late 2024.
