Our brief was to provide an environmentally sustainable extension and upgrade of facilities to the existing Betty Day Community Centre in St Kilda. Extensive consultation with around 100 community members took place over the course of the process, with translation of minutes and information into 10 languages.

The extension provides new community function rooms, improved DDA access, and a new courtyard and public space, where landscaping mirrors the flowing ribbon design concept. Building fabric selection was based on recycled content, longevity, end-of-use recyclability, building energy consumption, and procurement from sustainable sources.

Other ESD initiatives include recycled concrete, double skin insulated walls, reuse of existing ductwork, grid connected PV cells, toilet connected rainwater tanks, low energy lighting with motion sensors, low VOC and recycled materials, low water and maintenance landscaping. This facility was City of Port Phillip’s first design rating approved SDS compliant building.