A new purpose-built community centre, which extensively uses glulam beams and cross-laminated timber panels in its construction, is one of Australia’s most celebrated projects.
Located on Phillip Island, the Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre is the Bass Coast Shire Council’s new public building has won a raft of architectural awards, including the William Wardell Award for Public Architecture, the AIA National Architecture Awards for Public Architecture and…the Australian Timber Design Awards Sustainability Prize.
The centre, which uses glulam columns sourced by Australian Sustainable Hardwoods and cross-laminated timber panels from Xlam’s state-of-the-art Albury-Wodonga facility, Berninneit (Gather Together), caught the eye of the judging panel led by Rebecca Gilling, Planet Ark’s CEO, and Anthony Burke, host of Restoration Australia and Grand Designs Australia.
“This is the full sustainability package,” Burke said, a professor of architecture at UTS. “You’ve got a beautiful use of materials featuring timber throughout the entire building, as well as community involvement.”
According to Gilling, who in late 2022 took over as CEO of Australia’s most trusted ENGO from long-time leader Paul Klymenko, there are so many sustainability elements to the project: (This) includes local sourcing of materials, the Passivhaus envelope, which ensures the ongoing running costs will be minimised, and (of course) using timber as the carbon store.”
The Jackson Clements Burrows-designed building supports a range of uses, including a theatre, library, gallery, museum, community function rooms, and offices, evoking Phillip Island’s geology and topography:
“The design feels inherently connected to and of its place. Warm, pink-cream brick references nearby dunes and beaches, whilst internal timber columns speak to the island’s jetties and pier structures,” according to Jackson Clements Burrows’s design statement. “The building creates a dynamic and interactive destination that will become a source of civic pride. Bringing together the cultural and social aspirations of the community, it draws visitors to showcase the region’s history and culture.”
Applications for the Australian Timber Design Awards are open.
In February, Wood Central revealed that applications are now open for the 2025 Australian Timber Design Awards. Established in 2000, the competition promotes and encourages outstanding timber design in the built environment.
“The competition is open to builders, designers, architects, engineers, landscape designers and anyone else involved in designing or building structures that feature timber,” according to Andrew Dunn, CEO of the Timber Development Association, who said nominations for this year’s awards close June 12: “To recognise rising stars, a separate section is available to students and entrants aged 30 or under.”
- Click here to find out about all 15 winners from the 2024 Australian Timber Design Awards.
