By drawing on a deep understanding of integrating built and natural environments, landscape architects and urban designers can achieve distinctive, innovative and sustainable transport infrastructure solutions which provide greater community benefit. Oxigen took a holistic approach to the O-Bahn City Access Project, prioritising the quality of landscape architecture and urban design, drawing on context and community, and articulating a sense of journey and arrival.
Twenty-five specialist consultants collaborated on a clear set of principles derived from stakeholder understanding, acceptance and advocacy. Throughout the design development and approvals process, Oxigen were at the forefront of design thinking and undertook extensive collaboration with government agencies, including Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Office for Design and Architecture SA, Development Assessment Commission, City of Adelaide, Botanic Gardens and City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters.
A shared pedestrian/cycling path was provided on the western side of Hackney Road including a new shared-use bridge over the River Torrens.
Necessary utilities located in public parks were screened with rounded timber-palisade walls.
The core feature of the project was a 670-metre bus tunnel providing quicker, more reliable access for O-Bahn buses into the city.
The O-Bahn City Access Project provides Adelaide with an integrated infrastructure project of excellence, mirroring the city and state's combined efforts towards design and project excellence within the CBD.
