Located on the recently completed section of the Geelong Ring Road between Anglesea Rd and Draytons Rd, this truck stop and rest area consists of two facilities which effectively mirror each other.

Consisting of male, female and disabled toilets, along with a car shelter and picnic shelter, this project is part of the VicRoads Victorian Rest Area Strategy aimed at reducing fatigue-related incidents by taking a holistic, strategic approach to the provision of rest areas across Victoria’s major roads.

Interesting and engaging architecture is used to encourage drivers to stop and recuperate – to create places of interest beyond their utilitarian functions, with areas for people to eat and children to play.

With the project located on an isolated site, it had to be self-sufficient. The entire facility is run on PV cells with water reticulated from the roofs and the septic being dealt with on-site. Anticipation of higher usage patterns throughout the day and early evening meant BKK faced the challenge of maintaining power for pumps and lighting during these periods. At night, the area is well-lit, of which monitoring was imperative. Additionally, automatic lighting is activated by movement, which helps with the economic power utilisation.

With this high level of self-sufficient amenity reliance, VicRoads is looking to use this as a benchmark for future design.

INITIATIVES

  • This entire rest area facility is off the grid. All power is generated from PV cells located above the car port structure, providing lighting and power for pumps and generators. While there is a back up mains water connection, a series of underground concrete tanks store water collected from the roofs to feed the toilet cisterns and hand basins.
  • An onsite septic treatment also had to be used as there was no mains sewer to the site, which in turn provides treated water for a sub-surface distribution system for landscape irrigation.
  • The precast concrete chimney structures serve as natural ventilation for the facility eliminating the need for mechanical ventilation. Similarly, slots within the precast walls encourage airflow.
  • Materials have been selected inherent natural finish. Low maintenance is an important issue in these facilities and generally surfaces that require regular re-painting or application are discouraged. Natural finished concrete meets this requirement perfectly and has been utilised extensively throughout.

Images: John Gollings.