The Canopy - a precinct as vibrant as the community it serves
A brief stroll through the bustling streets of Lane Cove is enough to dispel any rumors of the declining appeal of the “high street” and now, with the unveiling of The Canopy Precinct, this is only reinforced further. Just days after opening, Lane Cove Council’s strategic redevelopment, of a surface car park into The Canopy Precinct has already seen an increase in footfall, with Lane Cove residents eager to experience the new community offer. Providing locals and visitors with much-needed open space and nestled among a vibrant new F&B and retail offering, The Canopy offers every reason to encourage activation and dwell time within Lane Cove town centre.
Originally named “The Rosenthal Project” Lane Cove Council, set out to create a vibrant community space that “reflects the Lane Cove aesthetic, community and natural landscape” Integral to these aspirations, The Canopy Precinct transforms the previous site into an rich retail precinct that includes anchor supermarkets and specialty F&B focused retail; punctuated by a treetop park, play and seating areas.
“The activated ground level and open space is carefully integrated above convenience retail, with a perimeter dining offer to activate the precinct from dawn to after dusk. Integrating into the laneway environment of Lane Cove connects the project to the broader precinct.” said Director Doug Southwell, Scott Carver.
Important to the project success was the reference scheme designed by Arcadia Landscape Architecture and Saunders Global. Their concepts provided our team with a great basis from which to develop the design and see through the execution of Council’s vision. This, coupled with our integrated service offering of Landscape & Architecture, enabled us to provide a unified design solution and to build on the original scheme in a significant way.
The design process was a hands-on, iterative collaboration with council, local community and retail owners that resulted in a considered, detailed space that encapsulates the ‘Lane Cove Aesthetic’ whilst also ensuring the design complimented the existing village centre. Additionally, detailed consultation was had with local bush care groups in the selection of locally endemic species to re-vegetate the public park.
“Council’s clear vision was the driving force from start to finish. It has been inspiring to be part of the process which maintained such a clear focus on delivering an innovative and exciting development for the Lane Cove community that reflects the place and the people. The materiality of brick and sandstone, the endemic planting are all clear statements of Lane Cove and the Periscope Canopy by Supermanouvre literally reflects the community as they use the space every day to create an experience that is “more Lane Cove than Lane Cove”.’ said Esther Dickins, Landscape Director, Scott Carver.
The success of such a collaborative design process and of the community remaining a key driver throughout the development of the project is evident in the outcomes achieved by the project; the result is a truly inclusive experience that intrinsically promotes shared enjoyment. Whether that means meeting friends in the village green, enjoying a late lunch from the adjacent F&B outlets or afternoons exploring play space set among the native landscape by its youngest residents, The Canopy is a reflection of the community it serves, and ultimately creates space for connection and dovetailing paths.
We congratulate Lane Cove Council, and ADCO Constructions who delivered the project.
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