MACLEAN COMMUNITY PRECINCT in association with Louisa Gee Architect 2021, Maclean, NSW

This project completely revised and revitalised the council’s vision for a Hall renovation. Interrogation of the brief revealed the need for a new Performance Hall, for the country town of Maclean, with associated facilities benefiting many community groups.

A state of the art Performance Hall seating 300 persons is fringed with multi purpose meeting rooms adjoining a new park. The grand space is the “River Room” which is both entry foyer and function space.The “verandah room” is fully catered for the variety of community needs, and embracing the substantial view of the reach of the mighty Clarence River. Additionally the project was built over a new car park of 40 vehicles neatly concealed in the sloped topography. An outdoor stage for performance in the park and indigenous ceremony extended the brief and community embedment. The architecture subtly evokes the former Hall on the site in a referential fascia that unites the building façades.

Newstead Brewery at BNE Domestic Terminal is a multi-purpose hospitality tenancy that is built freestanding within the terminal. Under strict guidelines, protecting the existing terminal architecture and runway views, the design seeks to visually distinguish the tenancy featuring walls of shiny Jetstream cladding influenced equally by aircraft construction and beer keg aesthetics. Painted signage and coloured patches mimic the branded beer cans and add a vibrancy to the austere zinc sheet. The holistic design features highly detailed built-in furniture, bespoke lighting and sculptural joinery units that abstract a theme of brewery elements.

Sited in the privileged ‘leasehold’ beachside location within the foreshore park, the surf club is iconic by default. The architecture seeks the best response to climate, user functionality, respect to neighbours, and importantly, a sense of place.

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Village Express Cafe

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Embassy Hotel