K20 Architecture proudly presents the Bellfield Multigenerational Community Hub (BCMH), an exceptional embodiment of design and sustainability excellence. Nestled in the heart of Bellfield, this hub is a symbol of architectural brilliance and unwavering environmental responsibility, surpassing the initial client brief and establishing itself as a socially inclusive and environmentally cohesive design.
Aligned with Banyule City Council’s vision, our mission was to envision and construct a contemporary, multifunctional, and multigenerational (100+ years lifecycle) hub that would become the central gathering point for Bellfield’s residents. This endeavour required us to design a multipurpose facility that successfully met the various requirements of each stakeholder group as well as provided shared spaces suitable to undertake a wide range of community uses and planned activities.
As a mindful response to the brief, we undertook a robust process of enquiry with our client as well as the community stakeholders to understand their needs and requirements. All these considered, BMCH’s design exemplifies multifunctionality, offering a diverse range of dedicated spaces tailored to the specific needs of each stakeholder group, featuring two kindergarten rooms (equipped with 66 licensed play spaces and outdoor play areas), maternal child health consulting rooms, meeting rooms and consulting suites accommodating existing community groups as well as adult learning, and multiple purpose spaces for community booking and use.
Unifying Design & Sustainability: Beyond the initial brief, our response reflected our unwavering commitment to uniting design and sustainability into an architecturally relevant as well as socially inclusive and environmentally cohesive design. Design Excellence: BCMH respects the site’s environment while incorporating a sustainability narrative into every phase of its creation, from inception to completion. This design transcends aesthetics, symbolising inclusivity throughout. Thoughtfully designed for the increased population of individuals with dementia, the facility includes: • Intuitive wayfinding signage with clear, contrasting colours and legible fonts; • Lighting is designed to reduce confusion and minimise sensory overload; • Color schemes enhance visual perception; • Serene areas for relaxation and solitude; • Safety measures like handrails, non-slip flooring, and easily accessible emergency exits; • Memory prompts and visual cues for engagement; • Ergonomic and comfortable furniture; • Accessible outdoor quiet spaces with sensory gardens, safe paths, and comfortable seating.
Sustainability Excellence: Our design choices for BMCH were guided by the principles of longevity, recyclability, and environmental responsibility. Every material and every element was a deliberate step towards creating a legacy of sustainability leading to a 100+ year lifecycle. We designed BMCH to incorporate several key sustainability attributes to enhance the lifecycle, functionality, and overall well-being of its users.
These features are: • Off-Grid Sustainability (designed to operate off the grid with a 190 kW solar array and 200 kWh battery storage and fully reliant on electric power, eliminating the use of fossil fuels) • Optimised Thermal Comfort and Health (having an airtight envelope and increased fresh air through air-to-air heat exchange, and its thermal and acoustic insulation surpasses code compliance, reducing heating and cooling needs as well as enhancing multipurpose acoustic performance) • Sustainable Material Choices (built with reclaimed/recycled bricks for feature cladding to harmonise with the surrounding suburban fabric consisting of brick homes, and is designed to prioritise end of life recyclability, low volatile organic compounds, and non-toxic properties; incorporated Forest Stewardship Council sourced timber and steel with a focus on energy-efficient material production and recycled content.) • Sunlight Utilisation and Glare Reduction (maximised use of sunlight for power generation and natural light, minimising artificial lighting requirements, and design considerations were made to minimise glare) • Environmental Consciousness (includes electric vehicle infrastructure and water-sensitive urban design to reduce pollutants in water streams, also includes secure bicycle facilities, end-trip amenities, and 200,000 litres of onsite water storage for landscape and washroom reuse) • Carbon Emission Reduction (reduced use of cement concrete to lower carbon emissions) • Waste Management (reduced construction waste with Waste and Recycling reporting as well as implemented waste management systems to divert 90% of generated waste from landfills) • Green Landscape Design (vegetation covering a minimum of 41% of the site area to reduce the heat island effect) • Health-Focused Mechanical Services (integrated mechanical services with microbial control and is designed to avoid light pollution to the sky and adjacent neighbourhood) In summary, the Bellfield Multigenerational Community Hub stands as a testament to our commitment to creating spaces that transcend mere functionality. It is a harmonious blend of design, inclusivity, and sustainability – a living testament to the enduring values of community, environmental stewardship, and architectural innovation. BMCH not only meets the needs of today but stands poised to serve the community for over a century, embodying the spirit of The Chicago Athenaeum’s The Green Good Design Awards’ vision for a vibrant, environmentally conscious, and sustainable future.
Category:ArchitectureYear:2024Location: Bellfield, Victoria, AustraliaArchitects:k20 ArchitectureLandscape Architects:Hansen PartnershipDesign Team:Anthony Uahwatanasakul, Theodore Kerlidis and Joy SaikasemClient:Banyule City CouncilPhotographers:Peter Matterson