Transforming Communities: Glenroy Community Hub Receives Commendation for AIA Sustainability Award

Sustainable / Awards / News / Projects 20 June 2023 Share

We are delighted to share the news that Glenroy Community Hub (the Hub), has been Commended for the prestigious AIA Victoria Chapter Sustainability Award.

Announced during the ceremony on June 16th, the recognition serves as a testament to the remarkable achievements and impact of this project.

At DesignInc, we believe every project tells a unique story, and Glenroy Community Hub is no exception. It has captured the attention and interest of many, but its true significance lies in the transformative experiences it offers and the positive impact it brings to the community.

The success of the Hub is a result of the collaborative efforts of an exceptional team. This team includes, not only the builders and consultants, but also the broader stakeholders and members of user-groups we connected with during the project, who contributed to realising this remarkable project. Their passion, attitude and commitment were instrumental in bringing the vision of Glenroy Community Hub to life. This Commendation is for every one of them.

During stakeholder consultation, we presented a broad vision for the project, emphasising the connections between people, place, and nature. This vision was enthusiastically adopted by the team, and we worked as facilitators and interpreters to form a collective understanding of the experiences we wanted to create for the people who would use this building.

Glenroy Community Hub has captured the attention and interest of many, but its true significance lies in the transformative experiences it offers and the positive impact it brings to the community.
Kieran Leong
Principal, DesignInc Melbourne

Council’s decision to pursue passive house certification, was a significant leap for the project, creating a shift in how we worked. Our team’s enthusiasm played a crucial role in embracing this challenge and working together to achieve the desired outcomes. Passive House certification unlocked an opportunity to pursue other certifications including Living Building Challenge Petal certification and zero energy targets and provided a goal for everyone to rally around, guiding the design and construction process.

Glenroy Community Hub stands as a testament to the power of shared vision, ambitious goals, and passionate teamwork. It exemplifies the possibilities that can be achieved when sustainability and community needs are integrated. This project’s real success lies in its positive impact on the lives of the people who use the facility, the connection it fosters with the surrounding environment, and its contribution to a more sustainable future.

As we celebrate the recognition received through the AIA Victoria Chapter Sustainability Award, we do so with humility and gratitude. Our focus remains on the lasting impact this project has made and the inspiration it provides for future sustainable design endeavours.

We extend our appreciation to the AIA and congratulate the winning practices and all who participated in the 2023 Awards.

Embraced by the diverse user groups, this community centre is celebrated. Integrating a certified Passivhaus approach and exposed timber structure, it offers a place of refuge with improved social outcomes. The jury found the project to be incredibly thorough, maximising technical aspects and resulting in a high-performance building that will generate more energy than it uses. Living Building Challenge principles elevate the project to express leadership in sustainable architecture and an educative role through integrating extensive QR code signage
2023 Victorian Architecture Awards Jury Citation, Commendation for Sustainable Architecture