Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula has appointed Woodhead to prepare design concepts and indicative costings for the development of a Cuttlefish Interpretive Centre at Whyalla.
Whyalla is renowned for being the Cuttlefish Capital of the World, due to the annual migration of thousands of Giant Australian Cuttlefish to the Whyalla coastline for spawning during May to August. In view of the importance of the cuttlefish to the Whyalla region, the development of a significant cuttlefish interpretive facility has been proposed to showcase and provide education about cuttlefish and their breeding characteristics.
It is envisaged that the interpretive centre will be a state-of-the-art facility that incorporates world’s best practice in the design and building fabric, visitor experience and amenity, and the ecological functioning of the building. The building will also provide administrative and laboratory facilities for visiting cuttlefish researchers.
Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula and the City of Whyalla recently invited a short list of architects to submit tenders to undertake the design scoping for the facility. A Project Steering Group of representatives from both organisations assessed the tenders and appointed Woodhead to undertake the project.
Woodhead has an exceptional record in the design of landmark interpretive and visitor facilities. Significant projects include: the Shark Bay Interpretive Centre, Karijini National Park Visitors Centre and Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre in WA; the Katherine Regional Cultural Centre in NT, and the Desalination Plant Visitors Centre in Adelaide. Regionally, Woodhead was the architect for the Port Lincoln Hotel and the upgrade of the Whyalla Recreation Centre.
One of the first project stages is to identify the best site for the Cuttlefish Interpretive Centre. Woodhead will investigate potential sites at Point Lowly and Whyalla and prepare a SWOT analysis for each with a recommendation for the best possible site.
Given the importance of steel processing and manufacturing to Whyalla, it is a requirement that the facility demonstrate an innovative use of steel fabrication. The project also requires the provision of opportunities for regional artists in the design and fabrication of building components.
Woodhead has significant experience in both of these areas. Steel fabrication was a notable feature of the Karijini Visitors Centre and Woodhead recently completed the largest integrated public art project in Adelaide at the State Aquatic Centre in Marion.
Courtesy of Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Media Release.
