“The Link” – Ginninderry Multi-purpose Centre project involved the construction of a new arts and community centre including community space, sales and display for the Ginninderry development and adjacent landscaping works. The purpose of the building is to provide an essential link/gateway between the existing Strathnairn arts precinct into the new Ginninderry development. In doing so the project placed an emphasis on providing a sustainable approach to the project through use of recycled products and materials, passive design, water storage tanks and photovoltaic system essentially becoming a showpiece of ideas for prospective buyers to the development.

Another highly complex issue the team overcame was the de-watering and relining/shaping of the existing dam (which was already leaking) to ensure the correct relocation of existing frogs, turtles and yabbies inhabiting ecosystem. This required a collaborative effort with a number of stakeholders: Frogwatch, landscape and civil consultants, Ginninderry and Strathnairn to ensure that the wildlife was not harmed in this process and resulted in them being relocated to another dam within the Strathnairn precinct. During the re-shaping works we identified an underground spring dam. The design was changed, with the spring now feeding the dam with water.

The design called for a high level of recycled materials to be incorporated within the build process—as an objective set by the client during the early development stages of the project. Recycled and sustainably sourced products throughout the construction included:

• Recycled timber cladding
• Recycled timber flooring
• Recycled timber bearers and joists
• Recycled internal feature timber battens and feature timber generally
• Recycled bricks
• Concrete slabs with 30% recycled aggregate
• Composite concrete decking boards with 65% recycled content
• FSC certified Plywood ceilings
• Recycled insulation
• Recycled timber door frames and reveals.

The construction program was 25 weeks. The team achieved the critical “drop dead” date for the development launch and opening of the sales office; despite lengthy delays due to inclement weather at critical points during the early phases of the project i.e. in ground services and earthworks.