Andrew Gregory

The project aims to embody a holistic approach to disaster resilience through the lens of connection and Country. Connection, in the sense of increasing Glenreagh’s physical connectivity to the greater Orara Valley, providing dynamic and fit to purpose spaces to support grass roots organisations, and delivering responsive networks for information sharing and building social capital. The approach to Country explores creating safe, accessible and vibrant spaces to experience and care for the natural environment that creates a platform for exploring and integrating indigenous knowledge. Glenreagh is to be the testing ground and catalyst for these initiatives.

Best in Studio: 'Placemaking Clarence Valley'

Most outstanding design project in the studio 'Placemaking Clarence Valley,' in the Master of Architecture

The Glenreagh Mountain Railway

The revival of Glenreagh Mountain Railway as a rail trail responds to a range of key themes that came out of the workshop. It seeks to increase the connectivity between Glenreagh, Lowanna and Ulong and to retain and repair the heritage value of the train stations along the track.

Workshop Design and Intentions

The co-creation workshop in Glenreagh aimed to delve into the nature of what the community identifies as meaningful placemaking spaces and places. By exploring this, we paved the way for aligning the community’s needs with the spaces and places that hold significance. Workshop co-designed by Jessica Hordern, Yvonne Chuah, Jenny Yang, Mohanapriya Jawahar and Andrew Gregory.

Lowanna Train Station Axonometric

This train station has been adapted to provide additional amenities to the rail trail including toilets, lockers and bike storage for guided tours. One of the suggestions from the workshop was to lease out these train stations to local businesses which would benefit from the increased tourism generated by the rail trail.

Glenreagh Recreation Ground: Equestrian Centre

The Glenreagh recreation ground’s upgrade to the equestrian facilities demonstrates how these spaces across the Orara Valley can be adapted to enhance their everyday use cases and disaster resilience. The upgrades will help host special interest groups, provide long-term amenities for horses and native animals, and become a central point of coordination during disaster events.

Equestrian Centre Section and Perspective

The rec-ground’s everyday mode aims to strengthen its connectivity to the wider Orara Valley through the railway to Dorrigo and enrich its role as an events and tourism hub. Its disaster resilience capability comes from re-appropriating the assets and spaces for resource sharing, providing shelter and operating a refuge for people and animals across the valley.

Lowanna Train Station Perspective

Best in Studio: 'Placemaking Clarence Valley'

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