The Manly Triangle Competition started as an architectural exercise for a new building next to Manly’s unsightly Whistler Street Car Park. But as quickly as it began, the competition scope was rightfully broadened to encompass the whole Whistler Street Triangle precinct including Market Lane, Manly Library and Whistler Street Car Park.
From the observation that Manly lacks a centre, our proposal articulates a series of strategies designed to transform the precinct from its presently dysfunctional and dilapidated state into the ‘Village Heart’ of Manly.
Our vision for a rich and vibrant mixture of fine grain shops, dynamic community facilities and an activated network of public spaces would be achieved through the following strategies;
- Planning concessions to stimulate the development of new shops in Market Lane.
- The expansion of Manly Library’s public programs to broaden its appeal combined with the opening up of the ground level to increase its accessibility and engagement with the community.
- The reconceptualising of the Whistler Street Car Park as a hub for sustainable transport by placing bike parking and electric cars on the lower levels, and using greenwalls to soften its harsh appearance.
- The provision of a new flexible-use community facility, (MAC - Manly Activity Centre) to accommodate a multitude of community programs presently lacking in the town centre.
- The moderation of car movement from the precinct to enable the formalisation of a network of activated pedestrian spaces including Market Lane and a European style piazza adjacent to the library.
This plan was the winner of an invited competition to re-envision the Market Lane and Whistler Street precinct, run by Manly Council. Since the competition the project has evolved into Manly 2015 Master Plan.
