The Shark Bay Interpretive Centre
Shark Bay, Perth
The township of Denham, situated in the World Heritage area of Shark Bay, 832kms north of Perth has opened the doors to its new $7.7million exhibition facility. The Shark Bay Interpretive Centre was designed by Woodhead in collaboration with Freeman Ryan Design, who developed the exhibitions for the centre.
With the completion of the interpretive centre and temporary exhibition gallery the small fishing community of Denham has redefined itself as the tourist centre for the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Listed for its extraordinary bio-diversity and natural beauty the area remains best known for the Monkey Mia dolphins.
The interpretive centre sets out to change that and provide the catalyst for the development of the tourism infrastructure required for a sustainable future based on tourism. A unique and comprehensive introduction to the areas 400 year maritime history and world heritage values is provided through the use of static and interactive displays.
Woodhead Project Architect, John Nichols said the buildings design explores the physical historical and social context to forge a new identity for the township of Denham.
Whilst exploring the contextual issues we came across a 1950's photograph of Knight Terrace which seemed to capture the spirit of the place. The photo features a large wooden lighter drawn up on the beach on the edge of Knight Terrace. The lighter is called 'The Will to Succeed'. It also features a number of simple timber buildings with shutters closed against the ever present wind, their backs to the hinterland.
From this we developed a simple robust building which faces the bay, the large titanium clad box at the front which appears to be embedded in the ground is rotated and tilted as if blown onto the beach. This box houses the first elements of the interpretive exhibition developed by Freeman Ryan Design.
The selection of materials and the development of building elements acknowledge the harsh physical environment whilst also providing an abstract record of the processes of settlement and change which have shaped Denham and our understanding of the extraordinary Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Principal materials used in the buildings design are polished coloured concrete wall panels and floors and Titanium Zinc Cladding.
With the completion of the interpretive centre and temporary exhibition gallery the small fishing community of Denham has redefined itself as the tourist centre for the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Listed for its extraordinary bio-diversity and natural beauty the area remains best known for the Monkey Mia dolphins.
The interpretive centre sets out to change that and provide the catalyst for the development of the tourism infrastructure required for a sustainable future based on tourism. A unique and comprehensive introduction to the areas 400 year maritime history and world heritage values is provided through the use of static and interactive displays.
Woodhead Project Architect, John Nichols said the buildings design explores the physical historical and social context to forge a new identity for the township of Denham.
Whilst exploring the contextual issues we came across a 1950's photograph of Knight Terrace which seemed to capture the spirit of the place. The photo features a large wooden lighter drawn up on the beach on the edge of Knight Terrace. The lighter is called 'The Will to Succeed'. It also features a number of simple timber buildings with shutters closed against the ever present wind, their backs to the hinterland.
From this we developed a simple robust building which faces the bay, the large titanium clad box at the front which appears to be embedded in the ground is rotated and tilted as if blown onto the beach. This box houses the first elements of the interpretive exhibition developed by Freeman Ryan Design.
The selection of materials and the development of building elements acknowledge the harsh physical environment whilst also providing an abstract record of the processes of settlement and change which have shaped Denham and our understanding of the extraordinary Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Principal materials used in the buildings design are polished coloured concrete wall panels and floors and Titanium Zinc Cladding.