Project Description

The ideas for this project are generated from the Prehistoric and the community of Muttaburra’s existing focus on its paleontological past – specifically the chance discovery that uncovered the Muttaburrasaurus Langdoni over 50 years ago.

The existing life size replica of the dinosaur sat within a fenced enclosure on parkland adjacent the community centre and the community’s brief outlined the addition of a rudimentary ‘shed’ adjacent the replica model to narrate the tale of its discovery and paleontology .

The primary idea of the design was to create a building as an element of the landscape i.e. as an extension of the landscape in lieu of the landscape as an extension of a building. To achieve this, local gidgee stone berms conceal the stone gabion framework and sunken interior creating a sense of intrigue and discovery for the visitor at its threshold. The gabions act as retaining walls for the rock berm creating the ovate plan form with a clear spanning steel framed / sheeted roof structure over the interior.

The structure obscures the life size replica from the entry path and only affords a full view once traversing the entry threshold within the core creating a greater sense of scale and intrigue for the visitor with the interior’s pared back rawness reflecting its prehistoric epoch.

Internally the Interpretation Centre incorporates a geographical timescale within the floor plate and with Stage 2 the completion of interactive displays and historical artefacts/information relating to the time the Muttaburrasaurus roamed this area.

Designed secondarily around the pragmatic principle of minimal life-cycle costs & a maintenance free structure, it also had the capacity for the Community to undertake some of the simpler components of the construction (under the direction of a licensed contractor) such as earthworks, rock filling of gabion cages, landscaping etc. providing the community with a sense of ownership and pride in their unique attraction.

Whilst no quantifiable criteria can be prescriptively benchmarked against the MIC, the centre could be considered an exemplar of sustainable design as it effectively relies primarily on the basic principles of passive thermal control by utilising its mass to assist in the regulation of its interior temperature – this creates its own micro-climate even in an extremely hot arid environment.

Achieveing a near net zero carbon footprint (in consideration of its longevity) revolves around its robust construction and simplicity of design in utilising natural light and ventilation together with locally sourced stone for the bulk of the construction. Life-cycle costs could be considered negligible in respect to its energy efficiency & maintenance-free outcomes over an extended lifetime. This ensures an exceptional outcome in respect to core sustainability objectives & principles.

Operationally, it was also designed to be unmanned, providing a sustainable business model as a tourist attraction for a small community.