Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Led by David Kelly and Geoff Hehir and their team at BVN, the LAND121 Facilities project provides new and upgraded facilities throughout Australia to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and its new vehicle fleet.
At Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks, a new precinct for the 3rd Combat Services Support Battalion comprises a total of nine buildings including offices, workshops, warehouses, stores, training facilities, vehicles shelters, and amenities.
These disparate functions of Lavarack Barracks are consolidated into larger multi-use buildings, delivering functional and cost efficiencies, and providing opportunities to create an enhanced built environment that positively benefits the personnel working within the precinct
The architects took a rigorous and robust approach to form and materials, with a focus on scale, modulation, and proportion is lightened by careful consideration of details, such as the playful sun-shading elements.
The design skillfully transcends what is essentially a prosaic function, imbuing the precinct with a quiet sense of dignity and composure, and conveying the message that the work of ADF personnel is valued.
Project: LAND121 Facilities Lavarack Barracks
Architects: BVN
Principal Architects: David Kelly and Geoff Hehir
Design Team: Vinayaka Bhat, Scott Hardcastle, Stuart Young, Will Cobine, Shao Ing Gan, David Ho, David Challinor, Duncan Moore, Marc Sullivan, Schneider Eliassaint, Marnie Goodman, Mark Power, Luke Chalmers, Jarrod Williams, and Mark Rassmusen
Structural Engineers: Brogue
General Contractor: Lendlease
Client: Lendlease
Photographers: Scott Burrows