PALAEO – LOCATION
“Palaeo” the town where time stands still. Given its name from the words origin meaning “old” or “ancient”, commonly referenced with fossil discovery. Palaeontologists frequently visited this town unearthing some of Australia’s largest dinosaur fossils known. With the recent restrictions in international travel due to Covid-19, “Palaeo” is more frequently visited by tourists who have recently come to appreciate this beautiful town for its contrasting sceneries from sand dunes to beaches and grassy hinterland.
PALAEO – EXTERIOR
Wrapped in corrugated iron and timber battening, this community centre is two stories, merging the original buildings material with something new. While the interior focuses on the prehistoric fauna of this area, the landscape and garden focus on the flora of this land. Plants such as Beach Grass, Silver Spurflower and King Protea sit on the sand dune shaped hills that flow throughout the gardens. Finally, a sand pit is located in viewing distance from the centre where kids can play and dig up prehistoric fossils of their own.
SITE PLAN
GROUND FLOOR
PLAN
The heart of Palaeo. With a number of activities this community centre encourages frequent and constant visitation. A pottery studio, event seating, library and café fill this area all fostering a learning and relaxing environment.
CAFE
Sitting on the east section of the centre, the café serves as an area that attracts local business and attention. With sliding serving windows, people heading towards the beach can stop to grab a hot cup of coffee or sit under the growing greenery shade. The feature material used on the countertop of the bar is ‘Napolina Limestone’ a beautiful stone that is also used to discover fossils.
POTTERY STUDIO
Sitting on the west section, this pottery studio caters to the growing population that call Palaeo home. It holds classes for not only pottery but the chance for children to create their own miniature dinosaur fossils. Displayed proudly on the shelves sit the communities creations of vases, cups and bowls. Work that is by the community and for the community to purchase.
washing & Drying station
SECTION
Upon entering the building you instantly understand that this is no ordinary community centre. A large fossil suspends from the ceiling, filling up the void and tying the ground and first floor.
PALAEO – LEVEL ONE
PLAN
If the ground floor is the heart of Palaeo, then the upper floor is the brains. Housing a community of committee members who work to hosting and planning events and updates with the town. This upper floor holds workstations, meeting rooms, breakout spaces and a kitchen.
WORKSTATIONS
