Surrounded by stunning natural landscaped forest, the design of a new multi-purpose cultural and environmental education centre is underway. The new development is part of a major upgrade to the St. Ives showground by Ku-ring-gai Council.

The centre will provide an exciting space to facilitate community workshops, seminars, functions, and events to increase environmental awareness in the community and encourage behavioural change for the benefit of the environment.

It will also provide a focus for research and the protection of Ku-ring-gai’s extensive indigenous heritage of rock art, middens, and rock shelters.

Sustainability is an integral part of the design development process for the CEEC. Our team are delivering a holistic sustainability strategy intending to target Living Building Challenge® Certification, a global building certification measuring seven key performance categories across design, water and energy use, ecological values, building materials, equity and health and happiness.

The outcome of the project will see a beautiful passively designed building that will include energy and water conservation and waste minimisation to minimise its environmental impact) and to complement the natural environment. The project aspires to a resilient design while striving to be energy and water positive and taking the story beyond the net zero conversation. Low embodied carbon natural building materials are planned to be utilised in the building, encouraging a connection to nature.