Architecture - Honours
The CCE Centre (Connect, Communicate, Educate) promotes democracy through amplifying a voice committed to building connections between politicians (decision-makers) and the public/community. This project allows a person to learn and establish their own political views and gain knowledge about government.
Innovative design features showcased within the CCE Centre work collaboratively to achieve the objective of connecting, communicating and educating the people of Brisbane. This building will become a focal point for the community, for the present and the future, enhancing the physical and cultural landscape of our city and State. This project will enhance public education about social issues and inform the community about government business, ultimately leading to the community understanding, trusting and supporting the decisions made by the government on its behalf.
The building is well positioned with a direct connection to near-by Government Buildings, the new Casino, the neighbouring QUT campus and across the river – cultural precinct. Materials employed in this building’s construction such as the golden glass colour choice, glass dome curtain fabric, rendered concrete and the stone paving used throughout the site are in keeping with the surrounding environment whilst engendering a feeling of modernity and innovation.
From the grand entry space, you can enter into the theatre. As you enter the room there will be an illuminating view as the glass panels glisten from the afternoon sun. At a second glance there will be a full view of the new casino and glances towards the cultural precinct.
You then pass through the theatre and up to the first level and pass through over the open bridge and into the library space. The library joinery is constructed with integrated seating to create opportunity for natural connection and communication between people.
The upper levels (level 1 and 2) entries are darker in their material choices to create a contrast with the dome/ void illuminating the heart of the building and creating a central focus. The upper two levels are highly connected through the void in the centre space which allows the noise of either space to be heard throughout the building. In addition, the modular aquatic track system builds on the core concept of connecting multiple educational spaces together using extensive water and glass infrastructure. Connecting the main places of circulation and gathering through tracks of water – levels are connected through the visibility from the glass track above. To capitalise on passive systems such as water cooling – the tracks allow a way of transportation of this cold water throughout the building.
The building is designed to suit the subtropical climate of Brisbane – the designed Luxfer system incorporates clever energy saving designs. Natural light is allowed to reflect deep into the building and when the window panels are pivoted opened, prevailing breezes are guided into the building’s interior. As the perimeter of the internal spaces are lined with cold water fountains, the natural winds strategically push cold air through the building saving on costs associated with temperature control whilst maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Kate Henderson acknowledges the importance of good design when creating multi-use function in spaces, objects and furniture. She wishes to employ her innovative nature, design and creative skills to achieve this objective in different architectural typologies. She is looking forward to a career in which she can experience the different opportunities that architecture can offer.