Queensland
Central Queensland
Dynamic Destination is stage-3 of the Australian Age of the Dinosaurs facility at Winton. It comprises two parts: ‘March of the Titanosaurs’ (MOT) pavilion containing a 60-metre-long fossilised dinosaur footprint trackway, and ‘Gondwana Stars Observatory’ (GSO), a signature enclosure hosting deep-time astronomy sessions.
Their temple-like expression is inspired by the topography and geology of the ancient, eroded rock mesa. Each project appears as an intrinsic extension of the mesa landscape textures, colourations and fissures. The MOT architecture presents as a horizontal extension of the mesa plateau, and a vertical extension of the mesa cliffs. It is elongated, draped around the fossilised trackway it encloses. Full-length glazing fans out to capture views of the endless plain below. The GSO is more introverted, like an ancient open-topped star-gazing shrine, its sides expressed as charred castings of a meteorite crater. It appears to erupt from the very crust of the mesa itself
The Dynamic Destination Project presents the third stage of the masterplan at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History. Imagined as an abstraction of the site’s landscape, the March of the Titanosaurus Pavilion presents a compelling interpretation of the site’s escarpment character, and the concrete is literally infused with the site’s golden soil.
The Gondwana Stars Observatory, with its meteor-like form, speaks to the astronomical experiences available at this Dark Sky venue. A rigorously bespoke approach to detail and materiality underpins an immersive sequence of experiences.
Both client and architect are to be commended for their collaboration, which has underpinned a seamless integration of exhibit and architecture.
This Project is a game changer for the Museum and is now its biggest income earner with over 60,000 people visiting in its first year of operation. Visitors are enthralled with the significance of the March of Titanosaurs exhibition, the story of its relocation and the way that it has been enhanced by its surrounding architecture. Deep time astronomy tours through the Gondwana Stars Observatory are popular. The guided tours through the facilities with beautiful architecture have led to overwhelmingly positive reviews. The Museum received a Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award, placing it in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
Brendan Gaffney, Project Director
Casey Vallance, Design Director
Justin Bennett, Project Documentation
Rebekah Vallance, Project Architect
ACOR Consultants QLD, Structural Engineer
Australia Age of Dinosaurs, Project Manager
Belmont Merino, Landscape Consultant
Cushway Blackford Consulting Engineers, Hydraulic Consultant
Donald Cant Watts Corke, Quantity Surveyor
Grant Salmond, Astronomy
Philip Chun & Associates, Building Compliance
Rowan Gillies Electrical, Electrical Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
