Hurlstone Memorial Reserve Community Centre

This project required careful consideration of environmental features of the site, heritage, site safety, and the need to bring together varied aspirations from the community drawn out of community consultation processes - which occurred before and during the early design stages of the project. A key design challenge in defining the siting and form of the building was managing ground levels and environmental constraints including flooding and acid sulfate soils. It was also important that the building maintain vistas, and define main points of entry and circulation through the site. A careful balance between privacy and openness needed to be struck.

The soft Y shape of the building minimises the building mass, promotes pockets for activities, and allows views through the building from key park entry points whilst framing views to all areas of the park. The pavilion is lifted off the ground to avoid flooding and to provide seating around the edge. The sculpted metal roof form is pitched to create a sense of dynamism and arrival. Perforated screens and an undulating facade create a lantern effect offering views out and up, bringing light in, and promoting safety. The materials, colours and forms complement the Federation heritage of the area.

Our client notes: “Repurposing a former lawn-bowl club site, the centre has breathed new life into the area, providing a vital meeting space that was previously lacking. This has fostered greater connectivity, encouraging social interactions and community engagement. The integration of the centre into the existing reserve has revitalized the park, enriching the quality of life for residents. The community’s response to the design of the centre is overwhelmingly positive, meeting the diverse needs of local residents. It has transformed a neglected space into a vibrant community hub and enriches the daily life of residents, fostering connections and promoting well-being...”

Physical constraints were paired with an historical reading of the site. The eastern boundary was once a creek line running down to the nearby Cooks River (Goolay’yari) and the topography of the site is a result of previous quarrying and former use as a brickpit. The form of the pavilion responds to the sloping ground including the lost creek line - a raised floor provides a freeboard for significant stormwater events, as well as spectator seating around the edge of the covered area. These features, layers, and transformations were conceptually rich drivers for settling on the siting, form, and material of the building.