MCU14/0106 Appendix B - Architectural Plans and Design Statement

                                                                                             Architectural Design Report



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NOOSA CIVIC EXPANSION – ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT
Built Form connecting people to the forest
The key architectural principle at the heart of the Noosa Civic expansion is a built form that connects people
to the forest and embraces the surrounding natural landscape. The architectural response draws inspiration
from its natural setting, complimenting and framing the native flora, while offering the public a unique
perspective and appreciation of the natural setting (refer to Appendix 2, Sheet 002, 003 & 004).

A variety of approaches have been implemented to allow the built form to connect people to the surrounding
forest. This has been achieved through;

        Dissolving built form into the forest backdrop. To achieve this architectural principle, larger
         enclosed forms are positioned adjacent to and behind tracts of forest to blend into the natural
         landscape through the use of facetted walls and dark material choices (refer to Appendix 2, Sheet
         006). This principle sets up a hierarchy in which the natural setting takes precedence over built
         form.
        Allowing key arrival spaces to emerge through the trees. While the majority of built form dissolves
         away into the forest backdrop; key arrival and civic spaces will emerge from behind the forest
         setting to provide clear public way-finding, circulation and interactive opportunities (refer to
         Appendix 2, Sheet 007).
        The formation of contemplative spaces which immerse with and frame the view of the forest
         surrounds. These spaces encourage public appreciation of the surrounding forest through open air,
         light-weight structures that create moments to pause, reflect and enjoy the natural setting (refer to
         Appendix 2, Sheet 008).
        Providing small amounts of surface car parking in clearings that maintain generous tracts of
         existing native vegetation to the adjacent roads, while hiding the remaining majority of parking in an
         undercroft. This methodology softens the harsh environment traditionally expected in car parks of
         this nature and provides a cooler more shaded environment, increasing public comfort and visual
         amenity (refer to Appendix 2, Sheet 009).
        Feathering building edges where built forms meet the natural surrounds. This will be achieved
         through the use of lightweight structures that seamlessly integrate with the forest canopies and
         surrounding landscape forms (refer to Appendix 2, Sheet 010).
        Providing outdoor civic and dining spaces that celebrate the beautiful Noosa climate and
         picturesque natural surrounds of the precinct. These spaces will capture prevailing breezes and
         provide a mix of shady, soft & hard scaped outdoor areas in conjunction with natural and
         introduced vegetation to merge seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

The proposal respects the Council’s vision for the Shire Business Centre by celebrating the environmental
significance of the selected sites, maintaining the concept nodes of activity integrated within landscape
spaces and the natural environment, and upholding the pedestrian axis links across the site as the backbone
for the development. Civic and transit uses anchor these pedestrian axes. Broader consideration of long
term site potential demonstrates that this backbone of pedestrian activity is the key to creating a strong
sense of place through a communal experience of moving between a series of spaces that are seamlessly
connected inside, outside and in-between.


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