Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is an iconic conservation, recreation, education and tourism asset located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland that offers exceptional views of the Glass House Mountains. A remnant of the rainforests that once covered the Blackall Range, the Reserve is a living museum of diverse plant life including a complex notophyll vine forest.
Appointed by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to upgrade the Reserve's current facilities, Guymer Bailey Architects, in collaboration with Guymer Bailey Landscape, local architect Norman Richards, and interpretative consultants, designed the Discovery Centre and Café to strengthen the role the Reserve plays in the conservation and display of local flora and fauna.
A long timber boardwalk loops around the building allowing scenic access for visitors and learning opportunities through the informative signage featured along the way. The Discovery Centre contains innovative rainforest interpretative displays and has two frontages to provide spectactular views of both the Glass House Mountains and the rainforest reserve.
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
Appointed by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to upgrade the Reserve's current facilities, Guymer Bailey Architects, in collaboration with Guymer Bailey Landscape, local architect Norman Richards, and interpretative consultants, designed the Discovery Centre and Café to strengthen the role the Reserve plays in the conservation and display of local flora and fauna.
METHODOLOGY
A long timber boardwalk loops around the building allowing scenic access for visitors and learning opportunities through the informative signage featured along the way. The Discovery Centre contains innovative rainforest interpretative displays and has two frontages to provide spectactular views of both the Glass House Mountains and the rainforest reserve.
AWARDS
2019
IPWEA Excellence Awards
Project Innovation – Winner
2019
Building Designers Association of Queensland
Commercial Interiors – State Winner
2019
Building Designers Association of Queensland
Commercial Interiors – Regional Winner
2018
Queensland Tourism Industry Council
New Tourism Business Award – Finalist
2018
IPWEAQ Awards
Design and or Construction of a local Government / Public Works Project: Projects $2 Million to $5 Million – Winner
2018
Australian institute of Architects
Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture – Queensland Winner
2018
Australian institute of Architects
Public Architecture – State Commendation
2018
Australian institute of Architects
Public Architecture – Regional Commendation
2017
Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia
Excellence in Innovation Award – Winner
2017
Economic Development Australia
Economic Development Initiatives Over 15,000 Residents Award – Winner
2017
Master Builders
QLD Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Management – Winner
2017
Master Builders
QLD Regional Award for Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10M – Winner
2017
Master Builders
QLD State Award for Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10M – Winner
2017
Australian institute of Landscape Architects
QLD Tourism Award – Winner
2017
Banksia Foundation
Sustainable Cities Award – Finalist
2017
Urban Development Institute of Australia
Excellence in Retail, Commercial and Public Use Award – Finalist
2017
Planning Institute of Australia
Best Planning Ideas – Small Projects Award – Finalist
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
The Waka Waka People
COMPLETION
2017
LOCATION
Maleny, Queensland
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.