Gregory Burgess Architects

The Ironbark Centre is a purpose built facility for instruction and research in outdoor education, nature tourism and science teacher education at LaTrobe University’s Bendigo campus. The centre speaks to the questions of how a largely urban Australian population experience, imagine and understand the landscape, a question central to outdoor education research and practice. The design of the Ironbark Centre draws attention to, and invites debate on, the many issues surrounding environmentally sensitive building practice.

Careful location of the building has minimised disturbance to areas of high conservation value. Aspects of passive solar design have been incorporated, such as the use of natural light, heavy insulation and heating system design reduce energy consumption. The building emphasises sustainable usage of timber. The windows and interior trim are recycled hardwood, the frame is plantation pine, and the exterior cladding is regrowth and plantation hardwood, radially sawn to minimise wastage.