In 2017, a group of community members walked into the Regional Design Service studio with an idea to build a new community facility in their town of 350 locals.
Initially, the RDS team undertook a sketch design to determine the size of the project they wanted and a cost estimate.
The estimated cost of around $1m was double what they were expecting.
So they applied for grants to fund the project.
And just six months later they returned with over $800,000 of funding secured.
They engaged Regional Design Service to design the asset with gym, meeting room, catering kitchen, amenities, and function room for up to 100 people.
Unique in design, the building features three hipped roof forms that grow in height toward the lake’s edge – almost like a hipped roof mini ‘Sydney Opera House’ in rural New South Wales.
The design team’s inspiration for the roof came from expansive farmhouses seen from a distance on rural roads throughout the Urana region that had been designed by notable Corowa Architect A.C. Macknight.
Within the building, there are three large community spaces, each with its own unique vaulted ceilings.
The function room features a cylindrical void that meets the raked ceiling of the roof over and enjoys panoramic views of the lake and landscape.
Regional Design Service engaged strongly with the local community.
The community shared the unfolding journey of delivering a large public asset – from concept sketch to construction.
The Regional Design Service team is passionate about building regional social capital and delivering meaningful public projects.
They enjoy and value educating and informing the community about everything it takes to bring something out of the ground.
This project has captured the community’s hearts and their complete sense of ownership of the project has led to them applying to become the operators of the building.
Project Details
Project Size – 298 m2
Project Budget – $982,164
Completion Date – 2021
Building Levels – 1
Project Team
Architecture and Interior Design
Regional Design Service
Regional Design Service is an Architecture and Design studio based on Bangerang Country in regional New South Wales, Australia.
Their focus is on delivering meaningful, thought-provoking, and sustainable design outcomes for Rural and Regional communities and their inhabitants.
Photography
Nicholas Aylward
Georgie James
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2021 Regional Design Service. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2021 Nicholas Aylward and Georgie James. All Rights Reserved.
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