Recently amalgamated City of Charles Sturt in South Australia is meeting the increasing demands on Local Government with the construction of a new, award winning, Civic Centre. The Centre collected three awards at 1997 Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards, including Awards of Merit for Civic Design, and Interior Architecture and the AISC Award for Architectural Steel Design.
Opened in April, the Civic precinct incorporates stunning new accommodation together with heritage features, including the old Woodville Town Hall, and the Civic Library.
Designed to provide value for money, the Centre includes a number of new features.
- A one stop shop customer service counter.
- A cybernet cafe providing free Internet access for residents.
- The Civic Library, where a focus on modern technology includes a self issuing loan service.
- The new open office plan provides easy access between Departments.
Architectural features which won the Centre its many awards include the inclusion of an historic well, a water fountain, a Balarinji carpet and the heritage listed Woodville Town Hall. The well was discovered when foundations were being dug for the new centre. Rather than bury it, incorporating the well in the new design added an interesting feature.
Retaining the Woodville Town Hall in a graphic architectural contrast with the new offices, demonstrates changes that have occurred in Local Government. A Balarinji carpet, taking pride of place in the Civic Centre reception room, captures the essence of Local Government having the theme, ‘community meeting place’. Completed in just 18 months, the project came in at a below budget cost of $11 million.
For further information contact Mark Hofmeyer (08) 8408 1109.
