Design consultant awarded - Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve gateway building

Echoing the contours of natural ecology and Connection to Country, the new design for the gateway building at Yalukit Nature Reserve by Canvas Projects is starting to take shape.

Bayside City Council awarded the lead design consultant contract for the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve gateway building to Canvas Projects at the December 2023 meeting.

After extensive community engagement to plan the reserve’s future, the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve Masterplan incorporates the gateway building, located at the reserve’s northeast corner. At the September 2020 meeting, Councillors supported a design competition to award the Head Consultant contract and expressions of interest opened in July 2023. Council received 12 submissions and four consultant teams were shortlisted to submit a design response as part of a formal tender.

Canvas Projects’ design responded to two key themes of the masterplan; ecology and connection. The distinct “three-pebbles” design integrates into the surrounding flora and fauna and includes public amenities, multi-purpose community and exhibition spaces, a café, and a viewing deck. The design provides a welcoming and engaging place for visitors, and focuses on themes of learning, engagement, and repair to connect community to country.

Council will now work with Canvas Projects and other key stakeholders to refine the building design, before taking the concept design out for community consultation throughout 2024.

Canvas Projects is currently redeveloping Hobsons Bay City Council’s Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club. The design team for the gateway building incorporates Landscape Architects, Realm Studios; Structural and Civil Engineers, Argall Pty Ltd, and Environmentally Sustainable Design Engineers, Lucid Consulting.

Construction on the gateway building is scheduled to commence in 2025, with planning and detailed design commencing in 2024.

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