An unusual theme which drew the attention of the jury, comprising Richard Francis-Jones (design director of fjmt), Dick Clarke (Envirotecture) and Malay Dave (self-sustainable housing researcher), ofthe 2013 BPNSustainability Awards, for its innovative design and sustainable initiative, in the category “Public Building & Urban Design”.
Two new truck rest stops are now open on the Geelong Ring Road at Waurn Ponds. Each of the rest areas has four truck holding bays, nine truck parking bays, and 13 car parking spots, including two disabled parking spaces.
The rest stops, which are located between the Anglesea Road interchange and where the ring road joins the Princes Highway, were jointly opened on Friday by ministers from the state and federal governments.
Consisting of male, female and disabled toilets, along with a car shelter and picnic shelter, this project is part of the VicRoads Victorian Rest Area Strategy aimed at reducing fatigue-related incidents by taking a holistic, strategic approach to the provision of rest areas across Victoria’s major roads.
Interesting and engaging architecture is used to encourage drivers to stop and recuperate – to create places of interest beyond their utilitarian functions, with areas for people to eat and children to play. With the project located on an isolated site, it had to be self-sufficient.
The entire facility is run on PV cells with water reticulated from the roofs and the septic being dealt with on-site. At night, the area is well-lit, of which monitoring was imperative. Additionally, automatic lighting is activated by movement, which helps with the economic power utilisation.
“Investment in our public realm and civic spaces is now understood as a key platform in developing civic pride and fostering a sense of community through notions of placemaking.
This project lifts the often utilitarian object of the toilet block to a civic role as a gateway, urban marker and important element in strategies to alleviate driver fatigue.” BKK Architects
Location: Geelong Ring Road, Australia
Architect: BKK Architects
Construction: MMAP Constructions
Year: 2013
Cost: $1.4 million
Photographer: John Gollings