Gagalba
A shining place
vision
Gagalba’s public realm will be a living canvas where the lush, untamed spirit of the Sunshine Coast comes alive through nourishing waters, art, and vibrant community connections.
Envision a place where the rhythmic dance of light sculptures appear on the water and the timeless beauty of native woodlands create an unforgettable tapestry, celebrating nature’s grandeur and Stockland’s commitment to a sustainable future.
Here, every step through the landscape tells a story, every splash or skip across the steppers in the water reveals art, and every moment connects us to the essence of Gagalba as a place.
gagalba - a shining place
Water gallery
An immersive outdoor art experience on the water. The art could be an annual of seasonal intervention, temporary in nature.
This idea of an outdoor art space integrated with the wetland would provide a unique experience to engage with large scale light sculptures that would attract people from all over and give Gagalba a real point of difference in the market. Making a statement and creating a identity for Gagalba that the community can really be proud of.
gagalba
Design stories
Colour Story
We celebrate the site’s natural heritage by highlighting the vibrant colours found in the flowers of endemic vegetation. While shifting from the primary colours of the northern part of Aura, our approach will infuse Gagalba with the rich and varied hues of local flora, creating a lively and distinctive colour palette.
Water Story
Water will be the cornerstone of Gagalba’s identity, nurturing the land, engaging with its residents, and serving as a canvas for contemporary art. This integration of water into the design creates a dynamic space that resonates with the community’s essence.
Tree Story
By reimagining the open coastal woodlands that have evolved on this site over millennia, we introduce a unique approach to Gagalba. This strategy not only honours the historical landscape but also sets the stage for a sophisticated new urban centre, blending tradition with modernity.
Art Story
This immersive outdoor art experience on the water will elevate Gagalba as a beacon of culture, community, and the arts. The Water Gallery will serve as a focal point for artistic expression and communal engagement, reinforcing Gagalba’s role as a vibrant cultural hub.
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Concept design
gagalba
the water gallery
our response
the pillars
Pillar 01
Nourishing Waters
Utilising landscape and urban design to ensure water is at the core of Gagalba
The gagalba entry experience emphasises the importance of water. The active transport, footpaths, and roads follow an open swale that leads to the Water Gallery, with colourful weirs punctuating the landscape, blocking water flow, and recharging the groundwater to support the water cycle. This creates a unique entry experience for pedestrians and active transport users, guiding them along the water to an exciting, art-filled destination.
The journey celebrates water through boardwalks, steppers, bunds, and levees, culminating at the Gagalba Water Gallery—a wetland terraced by vibrant weirs that transect the landscape and divide the wetland into a series of levels. These levels can be explored through giant steppers, a floating pavilion, and a submerged path, all surrounded by picnic lawns and vantage points.
The wetlands will polish the water, provide an exhibition space for art, and offer passive recreation, embodying the essence of what it means to live in the Gagalba community.
Pillar 02
Living Connections
An evolved active transport network to promote active transport and respond to e-mobility
Our ambition for Gagalba is to provide an active transport experience that is embedded in the green and the blue, celebrating the freedom for a diverse range of users with e-mobility. E-mobility offers users, both young and old, the opportunity to explore the community by increasing their range and providing better access. This shift in mode will be celebrated with a natural experience, integrated seamlessly into the landscape rather than merely added to roadways. In our concept, the active transport experience is elevated to become more of a journey through the Gagalba entry statement. We have also focused on the user experience by providing separated footpaths, lockable charging stations, and future-proofing the network for other personal rapid transit innovations such as Glydeways.
Pillar 03
Rich Subtropical Character
Ecology and material use to reflect the Sunshine Coast’s unique identity
In designing Gagalba, our aim is to celebrate and embody the rich subtropical character that defines the Sunshine Coast. The local community takes great pride in the pristine, primeval landscapes that shape our region’s identity. To reflect this authenticity, we propose reinstating an open woodland that mirrors the Pre- Clearing ecosystems of the area, specifically RE 12.3.5, 13.3.13, 12.3.14, and RE 12.9-10.22.
Our design will feature a diverse array of species that have evolved on this site over millions of years. This includes Swamp Box, Paper Bark, Scribbly Gum, Bloodwood, Hard Quandong, Grass Trees, and Banksias. By using these native species, we will instill Gagalba with a character that is both distinctly local and timeless, ensuring a deep connection with the site’s natural heritage.
To further reinforce the local identity of Gagalba, we propose using stone and timber sourced from within the region. This choice not only enhances the authenticity of the landscape but also minimises the carbon footprint associated with transportation, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and localism.
Pillar 04
Colourful Community
Celebrating the vibrancy and energy of community
Gagalba aspires to be a “Best Practice Community”, one that truly embodies its vibrancy through a deep connection with nature, contemporary art, and sustainability.