Geeveston Child and Family Centre wayraparattee – Liminal Architecture
Project summary
Located in the rural township of Geeveston, known for its apple and forestry industries, this project sees the addition to and reuse of a set of 1950s weatherboard buildings. Federally funded through the Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership Agreement, the purpose of the Child and Family Centres is to improve the learning, care, health and wellbeing of Tasmania’s young children by supporting parents and enhancing accessibility of services in the local community. Through an extensive consultative design process, a large, local enabling group was involved in all aspects of decision making. Interior spaces converge, enabling visual connections and spatial fluidity. The asymmetrical organisation resolves complex issues arising from multiple user groups needing privacy and security, while being open and welcoming. Key to unifying the interiors, new and existing materials are ‘white washed’. The neutral palette of white ceilings, walls, limed timber joinery and flooring enhance the varied volumes and provide a neutral background for activity and children’s artwork. Interior walls and joinery detailing provide a tactile experience, emulating apple crates and local industry, complete with stencils, carpentry markings and ‘agricultural’ tag pulls. The combination of liming, rough sawn finishes and open panels recreate the apple crates’ weathered patina.
Construction
Maveric Builders – builder
Consultants
Gandy and Roberts – structural consultant
Inspiring Place – landscape consultant
JMG – services consultant
Peter Whyte – photographer
Lee Tyers Building Surveyors – building surveyor