Where Queensland connects...with the world

In May this year the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) launched a national design competition to seek creative responses for a Property Master Plan that respects the framework of the existing Brisbane Airport 2009 Master Plan and helps to set the framework for the new 2014 Master Plan that BAC will begin in 2012.

The focus for the competition recognised the significance of the asset Brisbane Airport holds, in terms of its unique position within the real estate offer of South East Queensland. The BAC land holding is one of the largest in Brisbane (1,000 hectares of developable land) and unique in that its leasehold tenure means that BAC will remain in ownership of the common areas of the site for the duration of the lease term (up to 2096). Its ability, therefore, to contribute to the state and regional economies goes well beyond the traditional aviation, tourism and logistics spheres.

The opportunity and ideas

A proposal developed by a design team led by AECOM/Grimshaw/Price Waterhouse Coopers/ Tract was selected as the winning entry. BAC CEO and Managing Director, Julieanne Alroe, said the competition attracted a tremendous breadth of talent and expertise from across the country.

‘We were extremely pleased with the quality of submissions and energy projected throughout the competition, in particular with the proposals put forth by the final three shortlisted candidates.

There was extensive review, discussion and debate undertaken to arrive at the selection of the winning team that was extremely close in the final assessment scores.’

‘The AECOM/Grimshaw consortia submission however delivered the most promise, in its concentration of development in a number of subtly reconfigured zones, including a proposed Airport Spine between the terminals and Airport Village.

The jury was particularly impressed with the proposal’s creative approach to natural systems, rethinking the connections between energy consumption, production and waste management, Ms Alroe said.

Other strengths in the winning submission included:

• consolidation of development around key nodes

• high level of connectivity to neighbourhoods, community and regions

• inclusion of both ideals and ideas concerning the interim usage of the wider landscape – exploring the idea of ‘productive landscapes’ comprehensively

• a‘catalyst’projectschemewithanintentto establish a lively precinct to elevate the profile of the airport while responding to market demands

• involvementwithyoungerprofessionals who espouse inspirational and innovative approaches to ‘future proofing’ property development opportunities that transcend generations

• anethosofadaptability,flexibilityand strong environmental sustainability to ensure robust outcomes that pro-actively respond to current market demands and global initiatives including the ‘carbon debate’.

Next steps

Over the next five months, working collaboratively with the client, BAC Property, and a broader platform of key stakeholders, the team will develop a detailed Property Master Plan. The collective team and client will explore ways to provide a platform for development of the airport land-side, in a way that allows immediate, flexible and innovative responses to market demands, climate change, carbon cost, lifestyle changes, technology advances and new development paradigms in a way that no comparable development can. The essential point of difference is a large, strategic and uniquely positioned landholding, on the cusp of ground-breaking change that celebrates where Brisbane connects with the world.

UDFQ 95: September 2011