Local environment the inspiration for proposed City Hall design

The beauty of the Sunshine Coast, our deep connection to the hinterland, our mountain ranges and our coastal plains have been the inspiration behind the proposed Sunshine Coast City Hall design concept which was unveiled by Mayor Mark Jamieson on May 31.

Mayor Jamieson said the administrative centre, to be located in the new Maroochydore city centre, would be a landmark building, one which invoked pride in our community and our city and represented our region’s natural assets.

“Our City Hall will represent our people, our culture, our natural elements and our success as one of the fastest growing and most progressive regions in Australia and reflect our healthy, smart, creative vision,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“So our Council has been keen to see its design reflect this beautiful region we are fortunate enough to call home.

“Architects Cottee Parker have used the magnificent mountain formations located across our region along with the diversity of landscape and our climate as the foundations of the proposed building design.

“The building will be a signature civic building in the Maroochydore city centre, encouraging residents and visitors to visit and enjoy all it has to offer.

“It will also be a major catalyst for the development of the city centre’s commercial core and will play a significant role in activating the area.”

VIDEO The Sunshine Coast City Hall proposed design concepts are unveiled.

Mayor Jamieson said a key aspect of the architectural brief was to design a building which would allow residents and visitors to observe governance in action – including a view into the council chambers.

“Our new City Hall will be bound by a network of laneways which offer dining and other retail opportunities as well as landscaped avenues linking the major boulevard of First Avenue through to the already developed Urban Square,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“This will all help make our new city centre a vibrant space.

“Achieving highly sustainable outcomes is a key element of the proposed design concept and our brief to the architects was to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating considered by the Green Building Council as ‘Australian Best Practice’.

“Council wants this to be an energy and water efficient building to reflect our vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region.

“Shading elements would protect the building from direct sun, reducing overall running costs while enhancing the textural nature of the façade.

“We also aim to deliver a healthy workplace, one where there is a focus on fresh air and flexible indoor and external workspaces.”

Cottee Parker Director Martin Timms said the proposed design would deliver a building unlike any others on the Sunshine Coast.

“We believe we have achieved a balance between economic, social and environmental considerations to deliver a sustainable building, using emerging innovations, technology, trends and applications,” Mr Timms said

“Landscaping is also a key feature of the building reflecting the region’s native flora and geology.

“Natural hues give the building an enduring and grounded appearance, with landscaping rising up the building, from ground level, through the urban plaza, the façade treatments, balconies and rooftop.

“Plant covered arbours from the street level will reach towards the building offering footpath dining under dappled light, reflecting the flora found at the base of mountains.

“Finally, the ground floor design and level one council chambers are intended to integrate with the community. These areas will include public art and tell the Sunshine Coast’s cultural heritage story.”

Council CEO Michael Whittaker said Sunshine Coast City Hall would be centrally located within the first stage of the core commercial precinct of the new city centre, comprising one full block.

“It will be home to about 600 council employees and is part of a region-wide workplace strategy to service the community by providing the right people, delivering the right services at the right location,” Mr Whittaker said.

“In addition to delivering an administration function, City Hall will also provide broader community activation opportunities through commercial spaces.”

Construction is expected to start in mid-2020, subject to approvals, and be occupied by 1 July 2022.

Council is in discussions with Economic Development Queensland now on the proposed design, and aspects may change as it works its way through the approval process.