DARCY ST ACTIVATION

A DISTINCTIVE LOCAL IDENTITY

Parramatta City Council required the activation of a forlorn shopping strip adjacent to Parramatta Train Station.  Due the GFC, a planned demolition was on hold indefinitely.  Lymesmith proposed a colourful paint job that turned 8 mismatched buildings into an identifiable precinct.  The street activation enabled Council to attract new tenants into short term leases, and helped to maintain a level of safety and amenity in the area until it was redeveloped. The project ran its course from 2012 to 2017.  In late 2017 all the buildings were demolished to make way for the construction of Parramatta Square.

COLOUR

A multicultural collection of spices, and historic building colours inspired Darcy Streets colour palette.   

"I like how they've painted these buildings, because now you don't see the buildings, you just see the place."

A perceptive comment from a "man on the street".

LANEWAY ACTIVATION

The rear lane behind Darcy Street was painted to encourage greater pedestrian use, and the through block connection was activated with colour, murals, plants and a laneway cafe. 

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Project Lead
Lymesmith

Colour Design
Lymesmith

Landscape Architect
Katy Svalbe, Amber Road

Client
Parramatta City Council

Photography
Doug Riley, Giddy Design and Photography + Sonia van de Haar