My name is Gabriel and I am first-year Master of Architecture student whose work explores adaptive reuse and sustainability as drivers of innovative design. My projects reimagine existing structures as opportunities for renewal, combining environmental responsibility with contemporary urban needs. Integrating digital design tools including Revit, Forma, and Adobe Creative Cloud to develop visually compelling and performance-driven architectural solutions. With a strong interest in material innovation and contextual sensitivity, I approached architecture as a balance between heritage and progress. I believe my academic journey reflects a commitment to shaping sustainable, adaptive environments that foster community engagement and future-ready living.

Gabriel Smano

 

The Intergenerational Oasis Civic Hub reimagines the Bushells Factory precinct in Concord as a vibrant, sustainable community space that celebrates heritage, ecology, and circular design. The project explores the adaptive reuse of the existing industrial site, integrating contemporary architecture with environmental regeneration. Inspired by the site’s connection to the Parramatta River, the design introduces a series of fin-shaped buildings and docks that reference the marine life once thriving along the riverbanks. Central to the proposal is a clam farm, conceived as both an ecological and economic engine. Acting as a “lung” for the river, the farm filters contaminants, oxygenates the water, and reintroduces biodiversity. Beyond its environmental function, the clams contribute to a circular economy; and their shells, pearls, and calcium by-products are repurposed into food, materials, and shoreline restoration. The masterplan carefully orchestrates movement through a mix of public and private spaces, anchored by the heritage Bushells Factory. The layout encourages pedestrian flow, connecting retail, residential, and civic functions while preserving and celebrating the factory’s historic chimney as a sculptural landmark. Varying building heights respond to the existing topography and heritage context, ensuring a seamless visual transition across the site. Sustainability and community are at the heart of the proposal. Reusing steel from existing structures reduces carbon emissions, while the inclusion of open green spaces, play areas, and floating walkways invites intergenerational interaction and urban biodiversity. The Intergenerational Oasis Civic Hub becomes more than a redevelopment—it is a living system where architecture, ecology, and culture intertwine to heal and revitalise a post-industrial landscape.