The Macedon Ranges Cultural Centre

CONCEPT Endorsed & Approved V3 – 2022

Endorsed, Approved & Shovel Ready

In 2021/2022, Macedon Ranges Shire Council through funding from the Victorian Labor Government and Regional Development Victoria, as well as its own development budget commissioned City Collective to develop the document “Woodend Community Centre Look & Feel”

In City Collective’s words:

The Woodend Community Centre (The Ranges Cultural Centre) should serve the community, as one of the Macedon Ranges’ most innovative, well-designed, multi-purpose public spaces. Our Guiding Principles for the interior design of the Woodend Community Centre are underpinned by the Guiding Principles developed for the project holistically through the Concept Design Phase.

Key to responding to these principles was:

RECOGNISE OUR FIRST PEOPLES & EUROPEAN HISTORY

• Integrate Woodend’s history as a timber town and links to Wombat Forest through the space.
• Take cues from historic surrounding buildings, the heritage and landscape of Woodend.
• Create a sense of connection to the surrounding natural landscape.

BE A GATHERING PLACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY & A DESTINATION FOR VISITORS

• The interior endows an opportunity to contemplate, explore, learn, work, study, meet, buy, discuss, debate, celebrate and take refuge from the elements.
• Establish a consistent material pallet across the entire site.
• Create community interaction and engagement opportunities.

CREATE DYNAMIC, FLEXIBLE & INCLUSIVE SPACES

• Spaces within the Woodend Community Centre are designed to be multi-use, multi-functional and multi-generational.
• Design and Selections are accessible, equitable for all.
• Incorporate highly flexible spaces from large gathering areas to intimate spaces.
• Multi-generational areas for children, youth, adults and seniors.

DEMONSTRATE BEST PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

• The spaces have been planned with passive design principles to increase access to natural light, ventilation, thermal comfort and orientation.
• Utilise quality materials in accordance with environmentally sustainable certifications.
• Materials are carefully selected that not only respect the fabric of the locality but are also sustainable and age well into the future.
• Align with council’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Reference: https://citycollective.com.au/project/woodend-community-centre/