Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre
Client:
Troppo Architects for Department of Environment and Water
Location:
Kangaroo Island, SA
Project value: $19.5 Million
In 2021, Tonkin was engaged by Troppo Architects to provide structural and civil engineering services for a new $19.5m visitor centre on Kangaroo Island after the old Flinders Chase Visitor Centre was destroyed in the 2019/20 bushfires.
The ecologically sustainable, fire-resistant facility is now a gateway to some of Kangaroo Island’s most iconic attractions including nearby Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.
In addition to being an integral hub for tourists, the building also includes the Flinders-Baudin Research Centre, a collaborative project between the University of Adelaide and the Department for Environment and Water. The research centre has a laboratory, admin area and accommodation for nine people, and is for ecological and conservation research.
In addition to being an integral hub for tourists, the building also includes the Flinders-Baudin Research Centre, a collaborative project between the University of Adelaide and the Department for Environment and Water. The research centre has a laboratory, admin area and accommodation for nine people, and is for ecological and conservation research.
Tonkin’s role included development of designs for the visitor centre building, from concept through to detailed design. Tonkin also provided civil design for the broader site, which includes a carpark for 60 vehicles and several oversized vehicles (buses, motor homes etc.).
The centre’s architecture is mainly concrete-free, and primarily framed from sustainably sourced Australian timbers. Rammed earth walls were built from material on and adjacent the site, and gravel sourced from existing nearby burrows. The design incorporates passive solar design which will optimise the centre’s climatic response across the seasons, meaning that it requires only low energy heating and cooling systems, zoned to respond to the use patterns of the facility’s diverse components.
The centre’s architecture is mainly concrete-free, and primarily framed from sustainably sourced Australian timbers. Rammed earth walls were built from material on and adjacent the site, and gravel sourced from existing nearby burrows. The design incorporates passive solar design which will optimise the centre’s climatic response across the seasons, meaning that it requires only low energy heating and cooling systems, zoned to respond to the use patterns of the facility’s diverse components.
Tonkin’s design for the civil works had a strong focus on water sensitive urban design, and incorporated a network of swales which not only adds to the visual amenity but also filters pollutants and reduces volumes of water runoff from the site. From the outset, the project had a strong focus on sustainability. The aim was for the facility to be an ecologically sustainable development, with minimal impact on the environment both during the build and throughout its operational life.
The new Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre was officially opened on 5 July 2024.
The new Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre was officially opened on 5 July 2024.
The centre will be run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and includes a café and souvenir shop, The stunning structure will significantly boost the island’s visitor experience and will ensure Kangaroo Island remains one of South Australia’s premier tourism destinations.
The new centre is surrounded by wastewater treatment zones, rainwater storage tanks, and a walkway roofed by solar panels, as well as grassed areas outdoor areas for visitors to relax.
Tonkin is proud to have worked with Troppo architects, Harrold and Kite builders and the South Australian Government to deliver this impressive new facility.
