Gadigal people of the Eora Nation
New South Wales
Located in Tallawoladah or The Rocks on the lands of the Gadigal people, Argyle Terrace Courtyard creates a welcoming space framed by a sandstone rockface and historic terraces. The project improves pedestrian movement, comfort and access while keeping the site’s natural and heritage qualities central to the experience.
A low‑scale canopy supports use, providing shelter, lighting and services while sitting below the surrounding terraces and sandstone escarpment. Finished in copper, it reflects the tones of the sandstone and brickwork and reinforces the character of the space. Custom‑designed screens incorporate artwork by Gumbaynggirr artist Sancia Janggalay Ridgeway, referencing the Pouched Coral Fern and acknowledging Indigenous connection to Country and the site’s sandstone landscape.
Simple, targeted changes—including regrading, new brick paving and clearer circulation—improve safety, accessibility and ease of movement. The courtyard supports outdoor dining while remaining open and welcoming to the wider community, contributing to the activation of Playfair Street.
The design of the Argyle Terrace Courtyard has transformed how people experience The Rocks. Formerly cluttered and perceived as privatised, the courtyard now reads as a welcoming public space, with clutter removed, new landscaping, dining infrastructure, and a legible, accessible connection to the sandstone cutting. The design carefully balances contemporary use with the heritage sensitivities of the precinct, using refined detailing and high-quality materials to reinforce its character. It defines a clear outdoor dining zone, opens the possibility for a future sandstone walk, and creates a vibrant public space people want to explore and enjoy.
Robert Denton, Project Director
Ian Burgher, Project Architect
Luka Enstrom- Gibb, Project Architect
Cha Lu, Architect
Patrick Tynan, Graduate of Architecture
James Robertson, Graduate of Architecture
Jack Morgan, Architectural Assistant
Lucy Rimondi, Interior Designer
Olivia Turner, Heritage Specialist
Context, Landscape Consultant
Urbis, Urban Planner
LTS Lockley, Land Surveyor
Douglas Partners, Geotechnical & Environmental Engineer
Berco Consulting, Quantity Surveyor
ACOR Consulting, Structural Engineer
ACOR Consulting, Services Consultant
Haron Robson, Lighting Consultant
DC Partnership, BCA & Access Consultant
AMBS Ecology & Heritage, Archaeology
TKD Architects, Heritage Consultant