Expertise
Culture and the Arts
Hospitality
Sport and Leisure
Scale
22,900 sqm
Year
2008
Location
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Photography
Brett Broadman
Status
Completed
Collaboration
Crawford Architects
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Details
The Darwin Convention Centre is the centrepiece of the city's new A$1.1 billion Darwin Cove Redevelopment and has transformed the waterfront area to a destination drawcard for locals, business travellers and tourists.
The project consists of a 4,000 square metre series of exhibition halls which can host up to 4,700 visitors, an auditorium for 1,500 delegates and a number of flexible meeting and function spaces. Its aesthetic of gentle rounded geometries is inspired by Darwin's maritime heritage and is reflected in the artificial lagoon created as a part of the project to mediate tidal movement. The tropical climate of Darwin played a major part in the development of the design, celebrating deep shade, filtered light and anticipating the cyclonic force winds and torrential downpours that are common in the region.
Key sustainability initiatives include the use of stormwater captured by the roof to replenish the water in the lagoon and extensive sunshading to the western facade which was carefully designed to optimise visual amenity while controlling heat gain and solar glare.
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Awards
2009 Australian Institute of Architects (NT) Awards - The Tracy Memorial Award
2009 Australian Institute of Architects (NT) Awards - The Reverend John Flynn Award for Public Architecture
2009 Australian Institute of Architects (NT) Awards - Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture
2008 Master Builders Association National Excellence in Construction Awards – Public Buildings Award – over A$50m (awarded to Sitzler Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture)
2008 Territory Construction Association Excellence in Building and Construction Awards – President's Award (awarded to Sitzler Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture)
2008 Territory Construction Association Excellence in Building and Construction Awards – Joint Winner – Commercial Construction Over A$10m (awarded to Sitzler Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture)
2008 Territory Construction Association Excellence in Building and Construction Awards – Winner – Electrical Contracting (awarded to Nilsen NT)
2008 Territory Construction Association Excellence in Building and Construction Awards – Winner – Metal Roofing and Walling Contractor of the Year (awarded to Halikos Roofing)
2008 Engineering Excellence Awards (Northern Divison) - Engineering Excellence Award (awarded to Connell Wagner, Sitzler Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture, EA Smith and Son, Nilsen NT)
