Implementing Youth Justice Reforms – 153 Foster Street
ARCHITECTURE
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LANDSCAPE
Implementing Youth Justice Reforms – 153 Foster Street
As part of the Implementing Youth Justice Reforms project, Guymer Bailey was engaged to design the fitout of the flagship Children’s Court Victoria on 153 Foster Street, Dandenong. As maximising space was a key objective of the upgrade, several spatial planning options were provided on the layout of
each floor, ranging from upgrading the existing building through to fitting out a new developer-built building. The chosen design option is over five levels, with three levels for the Children’s Courts, including a new Custody suite and two levels of car parking.
To better utilise courtroom spaces, bespoke joinery elements have been incorporated into the courtroom design to create multifunctional areas. Each courtroom can be used for its intended purpose or converted into a remote courtroom, presentation area or large conference room depending on what is needed.
To ensure safety for users, family violence areas have been split across levels, and separate entry points have been designed for vulnerable witnesses. The Children’s Court, which can hold up to 230 users at any given time, also honours the customs of indigenous Australians, by including the facilities to conduct smoking ceremonies during proceedings. An Australian first in a courtroom.
Stage A works included the refurbishment and extension of an existing two-storey classroom block as well as the construction of a new covered walkway through the centre of the school.
PROCESS
Working in collaboration with Architectus, Guymer Bailey provided design for the custodial areas of the Shepparton Law Courts as well as input into resolving the complex circulation paths throughout the building.
METHODOLOGY
The brick building base honours the memory of the older country court houses, while the new five-storey courts building provides a contemporary expression for the open and transparent delivery of justice. This continues through to the lobby, which is inspired by the ancient River Red Gum, and provides a warm welcoming meeting place.
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
The Woiworung People
COMPLETION
Ongoing
LOCATION
Dandenong, Victoria
CLIENT
Court Services Victoria
PROJECT CONTACT
PHOTOGRAPHY
CHT Architects (External Renders)
VALUE OUTCOMES
“GB-A were an absolute pleasure to work with. The team on site and in the office never cut corners and were committed to delivering a very high quality project.”
Jim Spainard, Golburn Enterprise
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology. Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy.
PRINCIPLES OF PASSION
During the design process, our project team not only considers the physical context of the designs but also examines the social and cultural context. Through every design, we look for ways to inspire positive attitudes, behaviours and emotional responses in people to encourage the responsible use of resources, increase cooperation among occupants, and communicate the values of society and cultural diversity.
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology.
We design built environments from a holistic, sustainable perspective: each project reconciles ecological and social impacts within the current economic climate. We holistically evaluate environmental, cultural and financial sustainability in every task we undertake.