Image Credit : Terence Chin, Libor Kuthan
Project Overview
Leading Australian architects Crone re-envisioned the typical community hall and civic space typology for The Connection – Rhodes, a 2,000sqm facility that opened to the public in January 2017.
With Rhodes Peninsula one of the fastest growing communities in New South Wales and currently home to approximately14,000 residents and an 8,000-strong workforce, there is an ever-increasing need for additional community amenities, services and active open spaces to encourage positive interaction between culturally diverse residents.
Crone was awarded the project by the City of Canada Bay through a competitive design process - Rather than proposing a single building, Crone’s design response separates the building programs into four distinct pavilions to house an e-resource centre and learning space, a digital gallery, multi-purpose event space, community meeting rooms, training spaces, playgroup facilities and a cafe/restaurant. All four buildings share a cohesive, simple material palette and common architectural language however their internal spaces have their own unique design identities suited to their intended purpose.
The buildings are arranged to create an intimate central courtyard with a public fountain and children’s water-play area while the pedestrian lines open up the site and create multiple interfaces between the internal and external environments and integrated public art. This rich network creates a playful, sustainable and inviting hub for both residents and visitors to Rhodes that is in continuous dialogue with the nearby waterfront and the local community.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Niall Durney
Ashley Dennis
Katharine Turner
Anna Van Hees
Project Brief
The original brief was for a multi-function community centre. Our design re-envisions the traditional community centre and civic space. Instead of creating a single large building, Crone broke with tradition to separate the programs into four distinct pavilions, including an e-resource centre, multi-purpose event space, meeting rooms, cafe/restaurant and an outdoor performance space.
Crone responded to the varied requirements of each program in relation to views, light, permeability, privacy and flexibility, which informed the arrangement of the pavilions and their external treatment. All four building share a consistent material palette and common architectural language but each is unique in its design and the internal spaces have their own individual style appropriate to their use. By separating the programs Crone opened up the site to existing desire lines and created multiple interfaces between the internal and external environment.
The composition of separated volumes creates an intimate central events space — a public square in continuous dialogue with all programs of the community precinct and the waterfront. This rich network has created an optimistic, playful and more inviting public destination for the Rhodes community.
Project Innovation/Need
With Rhodes Peninsula one of the fastest growing communities in NSW and currently home to approximately 14,000 residents and an 8,000-strong workforce, there is an ever-increasing need for additional community amenities, services and active open spaces to encourage positive interaction between culturally diverse residents.
The project’s novel approach of dividing functions into pavilions increased the functionality of each space and the ability of the building to use outdoor spaces and activate the park. The approach maximised the utility of the space, enabling it to run more activities for more residents at once.
Design Challenge
The pavilions helped address the key project need however the design required greater facade area than a single building therefore increasing the complexity of the build and requiring careful budgeting. Crone managed this process skillfully, realising an innovative design that allowed functions to “own” their own space.
The site suffered from significant contamination as a result of the site’s former industrial function therefore the design and construction process needed to enable and foster regeneration.
Sustainability
Crone took an integrated approach to sustainability; not only did the design produce better light access, cross ventilation and natural shading outcomes, it enriched the program and allowed the client to get more use from the same amount of building through flexibility and operability.
Contributing to the regeneration of what was once a highly contaminated site, sustainable initiatives were integral to the design. The buildings make best use of natural resources: energy and water efficient, maximising recycled content, sustainably grown timber and recyclable materials, extending the lifespan of the fit-out by using durable materials.
The design seeks to maximise user comfort through strong acoustic performance, pollutant-free indoor environments, lighting and thermal comfort and opportunities for natural ventilation with user operability where appropriate.
The joinery and fit-out was designed to meet Green Star standards and brings added value to the client in terms of reduced utility costs, longer lasting fit-outs, increased user productivity, health and satisfaction.
Open plan zones, flexible furniture and moveable partitions allow the client to adapt the spaces to suit different user groups or changing requirements from day-to-day as well as for the life of the building.
Architecture - Public and Institutional
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow.
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