Maroochy Arts and Ecology Centre
The Maroochy Arts and Ecology Centre, located at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens is a specialised arts and ecology interpretative centre that caters for a wide range of commercial and community events including conferences, workshops and art exhibitions.
Designed to inspire current and future generations to expand their knowledge of sustainable living, the Centre showcases green initiatives by mixing both passive design and active systems to allow visitors to witness efficient solar, air and water use in action. Systems are electronically monitored with data stored on an energy management computer and displayed on LCD screens throughout the Centre as evidence to visitors of ecological sustainability in practice.
The building design gives strong consideration to its setting in the gardens, and has been built on a previously cleared section to minimise ecological disturbance. Its simple structure of raw and durable materials including block work, steel, high durability timber and plywood cladding, ensures a continuous flow from inside spaces, to outdoor courtyards that merge into gardens by natural walls and planting. In addition to meeting spaces, the Centre includes a resource centre and office for the volunteers that assist the Council to manage and maintain the gardens.
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
Designed to inspire current and future generations to expand their knowledge of sustainable living, the Centre showcases green initiatives by mixing both passive design and active systems to allow visitors to witness efficient solar, air and water use in action. Systems are electronically monitored with data stored on an energy management computer and displayed on LCD screens throughout the Centre as evidence to visitors of ecological sustainability in practice.
METHODOLOGY
The building design gives strong consideration to its setting in the gardens, and has been built on a previously cleared section to minimise ecological disturbance. Its simple structure of raw and durable materials including block work, steel, high durability timber and plywood cladding, ensures a continuous flow from inside spaces, to outdoor courtyards that merge into gardens by natural walls and planting. In addition to meeting spaces, the Centre includes a resource centre and office for the volunteers that assist the Council to manage and maintain the gardens.
AWARDS
2012
Queensland Master Builders
Award for Innovation in Environmental Management – Winner
2012
Local Government Managers Australia Awards
QLD Excellence in Sustainability – Finalist
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
The Gubbi Gubbi People
COMPLETION
2011
LOCATION
Queensland, Tanawah
CLIENT
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
PROJECT CONTACT
PHOTOGRAPHY
Scott Burrows Photography
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.