Victoria
The Yarra Ranges Council Civic Centre, located in Lilydale, draws from it’s Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges context.
The project adapted the existing out-dated civic centre to create a dynamic new hub for the community and generate a flexible workplace for staff to improve collaboration, productivity and the customer experience. A new two-storey extension reinforces the buildings civic profile, and includes public entry, customer services, and ‘town hall’ style multipurpose rooms.
The redevelopment focuses upon creation of a practical, humble and sustainable building, with a preference for passive environmental systems. The landscaping preserves and augments local native vegetation to support the unique ecosystem of the region.
Yarra Ranges Council is committed to raising awareness of the area’s indigenous heritage, which contributed to the architectural fabric including an acknowledgment of country, Woiwurrung language building signage, facilities named after indigenous community leaders and internal feature walling designed by indigenous artists.
Opening post Covid, the building provides a welcoming and open environment that created a positive return to office for staff.
The design supports flexible ways of working, enabling staff to utilise spaces according to their specific tasks or work preferences, including areas that foster collaboration and creativity.
The Indigenous references, art and naming within the building has been recognised by staff and visitors as reflecting the strong values of Yarra Ranges Council and its visible inclusivity signalling.
With spaces available for community that are light, welcoming, and open to the surrounding landscapes, this truly is a building for community.
Antonio Primiterra, Documentation
Cam Clifford, Project Architect
Chenzi Yu, Architect
Kate Mahdiani, Interior Designer
Mark O’Dwyer, Project Director
Vanja Joffer, Architect
Vieri Nembrini, Architect
Lucid Consulting, Services Consultant
Meinhardt, Structural Engineer
Nelson McDermott, Building Surveyor
Wilde and Woollard, Cost Consultant
Ziebell Landscape Architecture, Landscape 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.
