Botanic Gardens Shade Structure

SHADE STRUCTURE

This shelter is the result of a limited competition to design a shelter within the grounds of the Australian National Botanic Gardens from generous funds donated by the Friends of the ANBG.

The brief established by the ANBG was;
“The design should be sympathetic to and should reflect the nature and characteristics of the native flora found in the chosen location of the ANBG. It is desirable to incorporate an artistic element into the design or make provision for the inclusion of public art in the future”

The translucent waterproof and iconic sail structure makes some reference in its cultural content to the formal brief and to the form of a leaf, floats over the sitting areas to provide an intimate spot for introspection within the gardens.

Botanic Gardens Canberra - Cool shade structure

Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre

TIDBINBILLA VISITOR CENTRE

Environmentally friendly design has proved a success in Canberra’s Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The fully functional Visitors Centre in the ACT’s most popular recreational park has had minimal impact on the environment. Environmental guidelines observed by TT Architecture prescribed the use of sustainable construction materials and called for minimal reliance on fossil fuel powered control systems.

The building’s pressed earth blocks, passive solar technologies and environmentally friendly water usage have been incorporated into the Tidbinbilla Visitors’ Centre and have drawn praise from a number of building industry sectors. 

Tidbinbilla Visitors Centre -distant view double curved mud brick walls autonomous building

The building has won the inaugural PATH National GreenSmart award. This award is given to the building that best embodies cost effective and leading edge environmental practice.