The new Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Centre is a dramatic response to its unique landscape setting and rich cultural heritage. It is remotely located, 490km North West of Sydney, Australia. Shaped by an ancient volcano 13 - 17 million years old, the Warrumbungle National Park is known for its distinctive scenic beauty, rich biodiversity and geological value. The Park was devastated by catastrophic fires in January 2013; ecosystems were badly damaged and the original visitor centre was destroyed. As a rare project offering, this great architectural opportunity responds to the landscape and offers something unique and lasting. Key drivers for the site planning included maximising and celebrating the iconic views of the rugged volcanic landscape, retaining natural vegetation and offering an improved, educational visitor experience.
“In mid-January 2013 a bush fire swept through the Warrumbungles National Park to the west of Coonabarabran, threatening Australia’s largest optical observatory and destroying neighbouring farm land and properties. It was the State’s most destructive bush fire in a decade with more than 55,000ha burnt, including 95 percent of the Warrumbungle National Park and 53 homes. The smoke plume above the fire rose up 14 km – a plume so large is created its own weather conditions adding to the complexity of the fire. The potent mix of hot temperatures, strong and shifting winds of up to 100kph, and bone dry undergrowth combined to make conditions very difficult for firefighters.” (NSW National Parks)
For practical reasons, the new centre was located close to the site of the former visitors’ centre. While other alternatives were explored, this site offers many advantages - most significantly - a spectacular view of the main geological formations of the Park - the Grand High Tops and the Breadknife. This was a key driver for the project – presenting a spectacular view to visitors to help them understand the importance of the place. Thus, the main view is to the south with more protected garden spaces to the north.
Commencing with a series of broad concepts purposefully considering the landscape opportunities, key drivers for the site planning included: maximising and celebrating the iconic views of the rugged volcanic landscape, retaining natural vegetation and a clear visibility of the new centre offering an improved visitor experience. The three initial design concepts were direct responses to visiting the site and listening to community groups. All of whom connected to the particular characteristics of the park in different ways. ‘Fracture’ was finally selected for its response to the unique geology of the remnant shield volcano, interweaving Aboriginal stories and European history of the region as an inspirational representation of the park. Architecturally, the centre interprets the geology of the place through the key concept of ‘Fracture’, whereby the fault-lines which divide the rock is overtly referenced in the overall form of the building. With powerful curving walls clad in stone, the building celebrates the iconic volcanic dykes and rock formations of the Park.
The new design delivers a series of outdoor spaces for visitor engagement, education and quiet contemplation that respond to the unique setting of the Warrumbungle National Park. Accommodating a wide range of visitor amenities, the new Visitor Centre is both a practical hub for National Park users to organise accommodation, obtain visitor information sheets and maps, and register for the renowned trail walks. It is also an interactive exhibition space where stories of the park are told and interpreted. Working with three local councils, consultation was sought from key community representatives who played a vital role in the design and functionality of this new facility, both externally and internally. Local input was imperative for the success in creating a space that the community would be genuinely proud of. Heritage Listed in 2007, Warrumbungle National Park was the first National Park to gain Heritage Listing status. The park attracts more than 35,000 visitors annually and is renowned as a popular Easter family holiday destination
Powerful, curving, stone-clad walls celebrate the iconic volcanic dykes and rock formations, while offering a strong sense of arrival and guiding visitors to the heart of the centre. The presence of the stone walls continues, as they lead visitors to the spectacular southern view and then to the northern walking tracks. The walls are a physical representation of a key geological feature of lava running through the rock formations and, in particular, the dykes and runnels. The sinuous forms made of rock give a tactile sense of a significant element of the park identity and are more like landscape elements than the wall of a building. The detailing of these walls articulates them as elements in their own right and, while they define the interior spaces of a building, they also appear to be archaeological remnants of something else – creating a sense of intrigue. Their hand-crafted nature gives a real human connection to the new building.
The walls offer a strong sense of arrival and then guide visitors to the heart of the centre. The presence of the stone walls continues, as they lead visitors to the spectacular southern view and then to the walking tracks to the north, all the while, providing a protective embrace to the visitor experience.
Accommodating a wide range of visitor amenities, the new centre is both a practical hub for park users and an interactive exhibition space. Themes of geology, astronomy and indigenous connections add to the drama of the interior spaces. Critically, the main space provides unobstructed views of the notable rock formations, ‘Breadknife’ and ‘Beloungery Spire’. There are a series of outdoor spaces designed for visitor engagement, education and quiet contemplation that respond to the unique setting of the Park.
