Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre

2021 National Architecture Awards shortlist

Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre | Cumulus Studio | Photographer: Rob Burnett


2021 National Architecture Awards: Public Architecture

Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre | Cumulus Studio

Traditional Land Owners: The Big River Nation

The Visitor Centre offers a warm alpine welcome to reflect both the sense of rugged-up anticipation on arrival and the distinctive Cradle Mountain geology. The sculptural, wilderness-inspired development includes an orientation building, commercial services base, shuttle bus shelter and coach transit centre. At every turn, we aimed to honour the significance and sensitivity of this world-renowned national park.

We designed the buildings to feel grounded, as if carved from a solid rock by a glacier. The umbrella rain-screen form references the folding angular geology of the site, inviting visitors into the cave-like timber interior. It’s quite a feeling to walk inside the sculpted interior timber cave, a completely unexpected gem inside the building.

Our intuitive way-finding strategy creates a flow to subtly guide visitors while they interact with site interpretation and visitor information. We used a hierarchy of space that organises services but lets the staggering natural setting sing out.

Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre | Cumulus Studio | Photographer: Anjie Blair

Practice team:

Peter Walker, Project Architect
Andrew Geeves, Project Architect
Elizabeth Walsh, Design Architect
Luke Waldron, Architectural Project Team
Todd Henderson, Director Overview
Matt Green, Architectural Project Team
Jason Licht, Architectural Project Team
Claire Austin, Architectural Project Team
Amanda York, Interior Project Team

Construction team:

Playstreet, Landscape Consultant
Futago, Wayfinding and signage
ERA Planning, Town Planner
Alex Miles, Artist (Installation)
Aldanmark, Structural Engineer
COVA, Services Consultant
Pitt & Sherry, Electrical Consultant
Green Building Surveying, Building Surveyor
Green Design Group, Commercial Kitchen Design
Stantec, Project Manager
Cohen & Associates, Land Surveyor
NVC Acoustics, Acoustic Consultant
WT PArtnership, Quantity Surveyor
Fairbrother Construction, Construction Manager
Aldanmark, Hydraulic Consultant
Aldanmark, Civil Consultant
Creative Hat, Interpretation Strategy

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