MCU14/0106 Appendix B - Architectural Plans and Design Statement

                                                                                             Architectural Design Report



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Approach to the precinct’s built form

The overall built form is a journey through varying scales and architectural expressions. The development is
broken into several precincts that all relate back to the key architectural principle of connecting people to the
forest. The precinct zones are as follows:

    Civic Entrance

    Accessed off the northern roundabout, natural vegetation within Covenant J as well as retained natural
    vegetation scattered throughout the informal public plaza in the foreground, form the backdrop to the
    civic entrance of the development. The design of the civic space will permit a range of informal and
    formal activities to take place within its bounds. Creating civic space that allows this diverse range of
    activity, particularly around its edges, plays an important role in its success as noted by Christopher
    Alexander and his colleagues from the Centre for Environmental Structure, whose work still remains
    extremely relevant today;

    “The life of a public square forms naturally around its edge. If the edge fails, then the space never
    becomes lively. In more detail: people gravitate naturally toward the edge of public spaces. They do not
    linger out in the open. If the edge does not provide them with places where it is natural to linger, the
    space becomes a place to walk through, not a place to stop. It is therefore clear that a public square
    should be surrounded by pockets of activity: shops, stands, benches, displays, rails, courts, gardens,
    new racks.” (Alexander et al. 1977, p. 600).

    The design of the new civic space addresses this ideal through several pockets of activity. The journey
    through the civic space begins with an informal public plaza as mentioned above. This plaza will contain
    clearings through the trees which will be dotted with local artwork and bench seating, encouraging
    those within to linger and contemplate whilst being immersed within the trees. Continuing through the
    space will lead to the more formalised suspended decking which to one side will be a landscaped open
    area. This area can host a range of activities from informal play, picnicking to outdoor yoga. While, to
    the other side of the decking will be a children’s playground adjacent to Covenant J. Family members
    will be able to watch on from benches scattered along the decking or from the building addressing the
    civic space which contains a restaurant at its lower level and multi-purpose room (for hire to the public)
    over the top. The positioning of this building ensures a high level of passive surveillance and safety
    while also providing opportunities for a lively atmosphere. Finally, in the centre of the civic space is an
    approximately 12 meter by 10 meter decked plaza which will be able to host live music or entertainment
    for small events/informal settings. On rare occasions for larger formal events, the adjacent small car
    park can be closed off to expand into a large event space. The car park is to be treated with sculptural
    shading elements, landscaping and pedestrian friendly surfaces similar to the civic space and
    surrounding paths, to ensure that the overall effect is one integrated area.

    The design for the civic space has used the background research provided by Alexander and his
    colleagues as a basis for its formation (refer to Appendix 2, Sheet 002). The space addresses the main
    entrance into the Noosa Civic expansion and ties seamlessly with the front end of the development to
    ensure its potential success for the public.



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