Stephen Holmes was involved in the initial research and master planning which established Technology Park in the early 1980’s.
The intention was to create a bespoke high technology business precinct that would attract key research and advanced technology businesses, particularly but not exclusively linked to aerospace aviation, radar and automation. The link to the higher learning capabilities of The Levels Campus of UniSA was fundamental to the attraction of research based enterprises, and hence integration with that Campus was fundamental to the design approach.
We researched European and North American business parks to gain an understanding of the nature and drivers of occupation of those parks, and the mechanisms used to manage the choice of occupants and the delivery of the services that would attract new businesses to the precinct.
We prepared the development concept, which was based upon the idea of creating a park setting with meandering roads and extensive vegetation planting in which campus style built form would emerge from the woodlands. While the approach to employment precincts has changed, Technology Park was very successful in achieving its design intent of that time.
We prepared detailed land use and design guidelines for the site and created a legal framework to ensure their implementation. The use of encumbrances on the land preceded the stronger enforcement now provided by Land Management Agreements.
The team managed the design process, which included addressing the opportunities created by the landscaping of Dry Creek, management of flooding and stormwater controls.
In subsequent years, we undertook a detailed feasibility assessment of the relocation of the Multi-function Polis concept from Gillman to what has become Mawson Lakes, with Technology Park being an important building block in the relocation decision. We prepared new design guidelines for Technology Park and for Mawson Lakes, and prepared the rezoning documentation on behalf of the State Government.
Key Capabilities
- Business park research
- Master planning and concept development
- Creation of design guidelines and control mechanisms
