The Ravensthorpe Cultural Precinct is more than just a beautiful building; it’s a community cornerstone designed to foster connection and inclusivity. A key element in achieving this goal is the incorporation of accessible features, including Moddex’s Assistrail disability handrails. These essential safety components not only meet regulatory requirements but also enhance the overall user experience for people of all abilities.
Opened in September 2023, the Ravensthorpe Cultural Precinct is a landmark project for the town that provides an essential piece of community infrastructure to the Shire of Ravensthorpe.
The regional Western Australian development was kickstarted by a $5.27 million contribution from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
The project, a collaboration between Peter Hobbs Architects with Advanced Timber Concepts and Intensive Fields, was to build more room to service the way the Shire has grown since the initial council offices were built in 1905.
Beyond serving as a modern office space for the Shire, the Ravensthorpe Cultural Precinct fulfils a much larger role. It provides essential community infrastructure, fostering social interaction and cultural engagement by housing a community resource centre, library, dining space, offices, training rooms, a seniors’ centre and a crèche.
Sustainability was a core value throughout the project. The use of renewable FSC-certified timber for construction is what won this project multiple awards at the Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter Awards.
Similarly, solutions were sought for various parts of the project that minimised environmental impact during construction while helping beat the looming project completion deadline – and Moddex’s prefabricated modular products were the perfect alternative to traditional onsite welding methods that would have typically taken much longer to fabricate and install.
Benefits of Moddex products for Ravensthorpe Cultural Precinct
Moddex played a crucial role in ensuring the inclusivity and accessibility of the community precinct by supplying and installing 103 lineal metres of hot dipped galvanised (HDG) steel Assistrail disability handrails at 10 locations across the site.
Not only are these prefabricated modular handrails manufactured offsite, significantly reducing onsite energy consumption and construction waste, but the Assistrail disability handrail system also enables accessibility for people from all walks of life, in compliance with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) regulations for ramps and stairways.
Our Assistrail handrails allow for smooth and continuous hand gliding with our ergonomic connectors and adjustable top rail fittings, where the fitting is connected underneath the handrail, particularly suitable for the visually impaired.
This project required compliance with the National Construction Code and handrail requirements under AS1428.1.
Given the variety of uses and users of this cultural precinct, this focus on inclusivity and accessibility aligns perfectly with the precinct’s vision of bringing the community together, and our products are able to help do that with an extra touch of safety.
Project details
Project: Ravensthorpe Cultural Precinct
Location: WA
Client: Peter Hobbs Architects with Advanced Timber Concepts and Intensive Fields
Products Used: Assistrail® Disability Handrails – AR30, AR40, AR150
Photo Credit: Johnathon Trask
