The complete plans for the Caboolture Town Square precinct have been released as part of a highly "transparent" design process.
The $25 million project has been designed by Peddle Thorp and James Cubitt Architects and will include a library, art gallery and learning centre.
Director of James Cubitt Architects, Paul Chrismas, said the fundamental issues surrounding the project were transparency and community involvement. "The key thing that the design came down to was the idea of transparency," he said. "We took that beyond the idea that people can see into the building, at eye level, or various other levels; it was also about the transparency of being able to see between floors, hence why we have encouraged the idea that no matter where you are, not only do you see the immediate space, but you can see above and below."
Views to lower level spaces are through voids in the floor, allowing users to engage with the various levels. Three spines were developed in response to the Morton Bay councils brief, which serve to house various functions, while the spaces between the spines provide visual and physical connection through the building. These spines represent the three uses of the building, the library, art gallery and learning centre with strong articulated facades to the north and south.
The council has been very conscious of including the community in the project, said Chrismas, with a dedicated website, including floor plans, layouts and other documentation along with regular meetings for the community. "They are very keen on making sure that the community is involved," he said.
While this has made the consultation process "time consuming" and "exhausting" Chrismas said, at the same time they have succeeded in getting the community to embrace what is happening and the solution. "You get the benefit and the value of understanding how they want to use the plan and the project, so in one way, that consultation process has resulted in the way the building has been formed."
