Basic HTML Version
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE AWARD
This new hybrid public building
explores the sustainability
potential of salvage and reuse of
materials from the existing Town
Hall building on site.
High quality materials salvaged
for construction include
Australian hardwood timbers
(Tallowwood, Tasmanian Oak,
North Queensland Kauri and
Blackbutt), precast concrete
facade panels, aluminium roof
sheeting and stainless steel
joinery.
Decisions regarding demolition
and retention of elements were
made to minimise unnecessary
removal or waste, and strategies
developed to ensure utilization
of salvage and ‘found’ materials
from the existing building. This
reuse of existing materials
honours the sites history and
reconnects the community with
this previously utilitarian space.
The new internal timber floor
finishes are composed of over
95% salvaged material and
the precast concrete facade,
structural timber, stainless
steel joinery and feature fibre-
glass ceiling systems were also
salvaged and reused.
The new building also has a
strong focus on indoor air quality
and comfort, with the inclusion
of a green wall, displacement
air conditioning, and high
performance insulated and
shaded facade systems.
The building prioritises passive
systems, supported by onsite
generation of renewable energy,
recycled water use, efficient
design, and sustainable material
applications and specification.
The building also utilizes a
high performance building
management system, provides
new public transport access
facilities, and the clean up of
contaminated soils.
Photography: Christian Mushenko
Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre
Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt)
As an approach to building
it is a typology that could be
explored by other willing and
committed architectural and
multidisciplinary practices in the
pursuit of sustainability.
It is a building that celebrates
the simple enjoyment of the
weather’s elements, rather
than setting up a myriad of
conditioned environments to
find comfort, and sets the scene
for a healthy way to live that is,
literally, refreshingly sustainable.
This house represents an
approach to sustainability
that explores the architectural
potential of recycling, reassembly
and repurposing of materials
from both the existing building
located on the site, and from
other projects.
‘Waste’ products in various states
of decay - refined to peeling
- have been appropriately
placed and celebrated in a living
experiment that is manifest in
the building’s outcome. Floors
were used as paneling, framing
for benchtops, roof shingles as
paneling, brickwork as brickwork,
with the sum being literally more
than the parts.
This is a house that also has all
of the basics in place, with a
small footprint, solar hot water,
natural ventilation, low VOC
finishes and an engagement with
landscape that is blurred to be
shared with the public realm.
Photography: Owen Zhu
Nikki Maloneys
Drew Heath Architects
35