COMPLETE Urban would like to begin by acknowledging the Yuin, traditional custodians of the land on which the existing Kiah and Wandella community halls are located within. We pay our respects to the current custodians and their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia today.
Following the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020, Bega Valley Shire Council wished to respond to the Communities most impacted by providing stylish yet functional Community Buildings that would in part compensate the extreme losses that had to be endured. The project was to adhere to a series of prime objectives as well as respond to site specific constraints and opportunities. The concept design presented to Council and the Community on the 21st February 2022, acknowledged the existing site and legislative constraints as well as features and used each analysed aspect to determine a site responsive project. The design also incorporated innovative design strategies such as evolving the original function of a hall to a hub which indicates a destination that serves more than one purpose. The Wandella Hub specifically intends to host up to 200 people and remain as active as possible through the staged provision of pleasant spaces such as sheltered alfrescos and outdoor play areas that remain accessible to members of the public at all times of the year.
