Five international architecture firms, including Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), are vying for the chance to provide master planning services for Barangaroo Central, a six hectare site that will include commercial, residential and retail schemes near the waterfront.

The Master Plan will link Headland Park with the financial hub and include a landmark hotel.

Following detailed assessment and evaluation of the proposals, the Authority’s Recommendation Panel has shortlisted five teams, including Australian and international firms representing 10 countries.
They include:
1.    BIG, New York Office; Hassell, Australia
2.    Woods Bagot, Australia; Scape, New York Office
3.    UN Studio, Newtherlands; LAB architecture studio, Australia; NH Architecture, Australia; Imelk, USA
4.    Sasaki Associates, USA; Diller Scofidio Renfro, USA; Jackson Teece, Australia
5.    SOM, USA; Andersen Hunter Horne, Australia

The five teams will deliver presentations and participate in interviews, prior to the final selection in December. The Baragaroo Planning Authority intends to select a team within a few weeks of the presentations and to commence master planning work in the first quarter of 2013.