Façade Concept Design

The City is considering two façade concept designs, the Big Wave and the Kinetic. Both reflect overarching aspirations to be engaging and memorable, have a strong identity, connect with place, optimise functional areas, consider solar control and provide best value. The following provides some details on how each design delivers these aspirations.

The Big Wave Concept

The Big Wave was inspired by our coast line, the surf, the vineyards, the hull of a visiting ship and the boughs of the trees. It re-interprets the dominant triangular roof forms of the surrounding heritage buildings, framing them in a singular grand curve gesture. The design has a powerful local resonance. The upper level bar/terrace behind the wave provides both views to the bay, shade and solar control integral to the form. The jetty timber softens and adds a warm glow, throwing interesting shadows onto the glass, behind which moving projections of the latest event can be seen running in the building itself.

The Kinetic Concept

The Kinetic is a performance in itself, pulsating and moving, creating a constantly changing perspective, perhaps challenging us to look at the historic buildings in a different way, but also reflecting their essence in the vertical paired columns. The rubber skin moves in and out by hydraulic arms.  This movement, in conjunction with natural convection, stimulates air movement, encouraging warm air to move more rapidly between the rubber exterior and glazed inner wall and out through vents at the top. This provides an active thermal wall, reducing the impacts of solar gain on the building. This would be the first kinetic façade in the world and can be programmed to choreographed code or respond to sound in a mesmerizing display to entertain passers-by and those inside looking up from the ground floor bar/terrace and foyer. 

Have your say on the concept design you prefer and other experiences you’d like to see happening in the Busselton Cultural Precinct.