Galkangu, Bendigo GovHub

GLAS Landscape Architects was engaged to provide landscape design expertise for the Warrnambool Learning and Library Centre in 2019, working as a sub-consultant to Kosloff Architecture. The scope of the project focuses on the external spaces surrounding the hub, with a design aimed at integrating the new facilities into the existing TAFE campus and connecting them to the surrounding town, all while reflecting the local coastal environment and historical conAt the heart of the landscape concept is a desire to create spaces that not only function well but also connect people to nature and each other. The design takes cues from the coastal landscape, with its sand dunes, rock outcrops, and indigenous plant life, to inform everything from the material choices to the arrangement of planting and seating. The iconic Norfolk Island Pines that frame the entrance stand as sentinels, welcoming visitors into a civic plaza where the boundary between hard surfaces and soft greenery is intentionally blurred, encouraging exploration and casual interaction.

The Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub project represents a transformative development that unites various local and state government offices, contributing to job creation and vitality. GLAS was responsible for the landscape design, played a pivotal role in creating a dynamic and socially engaging workplace that fosters innovation and revitalizes the local community. The careful selection of durable and high-quality public realm materials, consistent with the COGB's Standard Drawings, underscores the commitment to excellence in design.

The landscape design of the Bendigo GovHub further prioritized sustainability by incorporating key initiatives such as the specification of local materials, materials with low embodied energy, provision of shade, soft surfaces to mitigate the 'Urban Heat Island Effect,' planting for enhanced biodiversity, and the integration of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). The internal courtyard, known as Wartaka, embodies a unique space for staff to meet, relax, reflect, and learn. In collaboration with the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation, GLAS engaged in a co-design process over four years, integrating cultural narratives into the building and landscape design. The tangible outcomes include workshops, plant selection aligned with Dja Dja Wurrung stories, and the design of specific landscape components such as the 'Flow rock' representing the healing qualities of water. A long-term maintenance strategy was also created to ensure the preservation of cultural narratives over time. The Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub exemplifies a harmonious integration of cultural sensitivity, sustainability, and innovative design.