Hurlstone Memorial Reserve Community Centre
2023 Wan Country / Hurlstone Park, NSW
A Y-shaped pavilion responds to the needs of place and people.
A curved Y-shaped community pavilion connects with its suburban park setting, allowing multiple access points and vistas, functioning as a landscape element to welcome the local community.
Designed to Connect, Built to Breathe
Welcoming visitors from all sides and open to light, air, and landscape.
Connectivity was the key design driver, directing both the form and layout of the community centre. The soft Y shape allows multiple entry points so the building can be approached from the key access points in the park. Its three curved sides feature large glass doors, allowing cross ventilation and accessibility.
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“The layout also allows spaces around the building to be maximised for public use. Each side forms a sheltered courtyard that allows simultaneous active and passive recreational use by diverse groups.”
The shape of the building minimises the building mass, allows views through the building from key park entry points whilst framing views to all areas of the park. The pavilion is lifted off the ground to avoid flooding and to provide seating around the edge.
The sculpted metal roof form is pitched on its edges to create a sense of dynamism and arrival. Perforated screens on the roof and undulating facade create a lantern effect offering views out and up, bringing light in, and promoting safety. The materials, colours and forms complement the Federation heritage of the area.
The 143m2 pavilion features adaptable and accessible spaces – a community room and a covered outdoor area can be used independently or opened up into one space for larger functions via large sliding glass doors. There is a kitchen and public toilet facilities.
The design features robust, durable building materials, low maintenance and minimal operational costs, passive design principles (minimising air conditioning and maximising solar), plus passive security.
Awards & Recognition
2025 – Dulux Colour Awards
Finalist, Commercial & Multi-Residential Exterior
2025 – Better Future World Design Awards
Silver, Architecture – Public & Institutional
2024 – Good Design Award
Best in Class, Architectural Design
2024 – Good Design Award
Gold Winner, Architectural Design
2024 – AIA NSW Small Project Architecture
Winner
2024 – INDE.Awards
Shortlist – The Social Space
Hurlstone Memorial Reserve Community Centre Gallery
| Project info | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Sam Crawford, Justine Anderson, Liam Marosy-Weide, Christine Guan, Ken Warr |
| Contractor | 2020 Projects |
| Consultants | Planner & Heritage: Damian O’Toole Town Planning & Heritage Services Structural & Civil Engineer: Stantec Hydraulic Engineer: Partridge Electrical & Mechanical Engineer: Evolved Engineering Geotechnical Engineer: GeoEnviro Consultancy BCA & Access Consultant: AED Group Acoustic Engineer: Day Design Traffic Engineer: Jones Nicholson Landscape Architects: Gallagher Studio Quantity Surveyor: Z & L Consulting Pty Ltd |
| Council | City of Canterbury Bankstown |
| Photographer | Brett Boardman |
| Awards | 2025 – Dulux Colour Awards – Finalist, Commercial & Multi-Residential Exterior 2025 – Better Future World Design Awards – Silver, Architecture – Public & Institutional 2024 – Good Design Award Best in Class, Architectural Design 2024 – Good Design Award Gold Winner, Architectural Design 2024 – AIA NSW Small Project Architecture – Winner 2024 – INDE.Awards Shortlist – The Social Space |
| Published | BauNetz, June 2025 Architectura&Biznes, Oct 2024 ArchitectureAU, Sept 2024 Detail, June 2024 BauNetz, April 2024 Interiors Korea, March 2024 Dezeen, March 2024 Indesignlive, February 2024 Architecture & Design, February 2024 ArchDaily, February 2024 |
| Completion | 2023 |
What we do
Urban & Public
We design public buildings and civic spaces that foster community connection, cultural expression and a sense of belonging. From libraries to public domain projects, our work is shaped by purpose, context and collaboration. These are places designed for people, built to enrich the cities and neighbourhoods they sit within.
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