Hart’s Mill Playground + Shelters

Posted Wednesday, 17 September

Hart’s Mill precinct is one of the most significant sites of Port Adelaide’s Inner Harbour.  Mulloway collaborated with Aspect Studios in this significant urban renewal project, focussing on architectural elements and integration of cultural heritage through interpretive play.

The project provides a flexible base for a range of community uses, day or night, with specific design elements developed to reveal the cultural significance of the Mill and its surrounds. A thematic playground referencing the milling process, raised planter beds, shelters and flexible green space aims to revitalise the area and creating a characterful destination for locals and visitors.

Material selections are reflective of the area’s industrial heritage, with salvaged materials from local harbourside demolitions used in shelters, seating and planters.

One of the key design principles was to minimise below-ground disturbance, leaving ground surfaces largely untouched for interpretation and future reference. This also aligned with the site management strategy for the existing sub-soil condition.

Apart from redeveloping the once open asphalt area into a unique and enjoyable space for everyday play and recreation, the area houses the Wild at Hart’s Farmers Markets and was recently the site used for Illuminart’s NightMural 2014 Projection Event.