Academic / Civic Design
Penrith Recreation & Aquatic Centre
A civic regeneration proposal exploring how design can transform underutilised urban spaces into places for connection, recreation and community.
Location
Penrith, NSW
Year
2026
Status
Academic Project
SDS Role
Research, Concept Design & Visualisation
Penrith Recreation & Aquatic Centre explores the role of civic design in strengthening community identity and revitalising urban environments. The proposal integrates recreation, landscape and public space to create a destination that encourages interaction, accessibility and connection between people and place.
The project begins with the idea that civic spaces should do more than provide facilities. They should create opportunities for gathering, interaction and shared experiences within the wider community.
Landscape and built form are integrated to create a stronger relationship between recreation, public space and the surrounding urban fabric. The proposal aims to transform an underutilised site into an active community destination.
Through careful consideration of movement, accessibility and social interaction, the design creates spaces that support diverse users while strengthening a sense of belonging and connection to place.
The recreation and aquatic programs are organised around clear movement paths and shared spaces, helping visitors understand the precinct while encouraging activity between its different uses.
Daylight, shade and landscape are treated as part of the visitor experience. These elements soften the scale of the larger civic spaces and create places to pause, gather and move comfortably through the site.
Design Response
The proposal explores how design can strengthen community connection through the integration of recreation, landscape and public space. The design process focused on creating a civic destination that encourages interaction, accessibility and meaningful engagement with place.