Civic Squares and Public Domain
fjclandscape designs civic squares, plazas and laneways that give cities places to gather. Each one begins with its place: its history, its ecology and Country, and the streets and buildings it joins.
Our public domain work includes the plaza and sunken courtyard at Liverpool Civic Place, the new square behind Tasmania’s Parliament House at Parliament Square, the civic landscape of Bunjil Place and the stone ground plane of Crane Place at 200 George Street.
Liverpool Civic Place
A plaza and sunken courtyard celebrate the ecologies of Country, from the Georges River to the Cumberland Plain.
Parliament Square, Hobart
A new public square and laneways behind Parliament House link Salamanca Place to Murray Street.
Our Approach
Country and Place
We read each site’s landform, water, ecology and history first. At Liverpool, the riparian landscapes of the Georges River and the flora of the Cumberland Plain shape the plaza. Grounding each square in its place gives it a distinct identity and a planting palette suited to its soils and climate.
Shade and Comfort
Trees, canopies and materials are chosen for shade in summer and sun in winter, as in the deciduous grove at Liverpool Civic Place. Comfortable squares invite people to stay, so we consider microclimate, wind, surface temperature and seating together, making public spaces usable through every season and time of day.
Connection
Squares and laneways link streets and buildings, as the laneway at Liberty Place joins Castlereagh and Pitt Streets. Good connections draw people through a city block, make walking routes shorter and more enjoyable, and bring life to the shopfronts, lobbies and cafes that line each new public space.
Heritage and Archaeology
Stone, levels and markers reveal a site’s past. At Crane Place, the ground displays archaeological finds from Sydney’s colonial and Victorian eras. Interpreting heritage and archaeology in the public domain helps people understand the layers of history beneath their feet, and gives each place a story to share.
Flexible Civic Use
Spaces are designed for daily life and for events, markets and gatherings, with clear sightlines and generous edges. Power, water, lighting and open paved areas are planned so squares can host performances and celebrations, while trees, seating and planting keep them welcoming on ordinary days for people of all ages.
One Studio
Landscape architects work with our architects, urban designers and place team, so buildings and public space are designed together. Edges, entries and ground floors are resolved as one, so the transition between building and square feels seamless, and the public domain supports the life of the buildings around it.
For further information about our civic and public domain capability, please enquire by email. You can also explore fjclandscape and our selected landscape projects.