The Appian Way
The revitalisation of The Appian Way in Sydney’s Bankstown has transformed a former street and car park into an accessible green corridor, connecting key destinations such as Western Sydney University with landscape design by ASPECT Studios and Paul Keating Park with the new play space designed by ASPECT Studios, as well as surrounding community facilities such as Bankstown Station and Bankstown Central shopping mall.
The central green and blue spine shapes a dynamic public space while addressing flood risk and site constraints. The site is in a flood zone, the spine retains overland flow paths, directing water away from buildings and capturing rainwater through passively irrigated garden beds, tree pits, and drainage trenches before it enters the stormwater system. Strategically positioned trees along The Appian Way create a continuous canopy and soil volume, creating shade and enhancing the sites biodiversity.
The central green and blue spine shapes a dynamic public space while addressing flood risk and site constraints. The site is in a flood zone, the spine retains overland flow paths, directing water away from buildings and capturing rainwater through passively irrigated garden beds, tree pits, and drainage trenches before it enters the stormwater system. Strategically positioned trees along The Appian Way create a continuous canopy and soil volume, creating shade and enhancing the sites biodiversity.
- TRADITIONAL OWNERS & ONGOING CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND Darug Country
- CLIENT Walker Corporation
- LOCATION Bankstown, New South Wales
- YEAR 2021 – 2024
The central green and blue spine shapes a dynamic public space while addressing flood risk and site constraints. The site is in a flood zone, the spine retains overland flow paths, directing water away from buildings and capturing rainwater through passively irrigated garden beds, tree pits, and drainage trenches before it enters the stormwater system. Strategically positioned trees along The Appian Way create a continuous canopy and soil volume, creating shade and enhancing the sites biodiversity.
Concentrating greenery in the centre frees up the edges for wide pedestrian and cyclist paths, ensuring accessibility while providing shaded spaces for dining, study, and gathering within a resilient urban landscape. A civic square provides a focal point for larger community events.
Concentrating greenery in the centre frees up the edges for wide pedestrian and cyclist paths, ensuring accessibility while providing shaded spaces for dining, study, and gathering within a resilient urban landscape. A civic square provides a focal point for larger community events.
A distinctive yet subtle material palette of high-quality light grey and warm-toned granite pavers reflects the local geology while complementing Canterbury-Bankstown City Council’s existing standards. These pavers define circulation and social spaces, while the central garden beds—planted with a mix of native and exotic species—create a striking visual feature with coordinated foliage and flower colours.
The transformation of The Appian Way delivers a safe, welcoming, and adaptable public realm that strengthens Bankstown’s identity and civic life. ASPECT Studios led the design of the public realm, working closely with Canterbury-Bankstown City Council, Lyons Architecture and an interdisciplinary consultant team, to bring this vision to life.
The transformation of The Appian Way delivers a safe, welcoming, and adaptable public realm that strengthens Bankstown’s identity and civic life. ASPECT Studios led the design of the public realm, working closely with Canterbury-Bankstown City Council, Lyons Architecture and an interdisciplinary consultant team, to bring this vision to life.
- TEAM ASPECT Studios, Warren Smith, Consulting Engineers, Electrical Data Projects, Group DLA, Arup
- PHOTOGRAPHY Eva Shaw
