Environmentally friendly build for cultural centre

THE Cowes Cultural Centre is expected to provide service for the council and community and improve access for the wider region is on track for completion at the end of the year. 

Senior project manager, architect, and interior designer Hannah Eisen told the Sentinel Times that things were really taking shape on site.

“Not only will it be an exemplar building for the region and one that will be used for a range of purposes and accessible to all. It will be the second public building in Australia to be Passive House Designed and Certified,” said Hannah. 

“I don’t think we have been giving this aspect of the project enough credit!” 

Hannah said she is proud to be working on a building that has been designed in a way to empower council to lead the way in terms of building environmentally friendly buildings and creating healthier spaces.

“This building is going to be a resilient and ecofriendly building - being Passive House, the energy used for heating and cooling is greatly reduced as much as 85%.”

“The reduction in energy consumption also reduces the carbon emissions of the building and ongoing operational costs,” Hannah said. 

There are five key principals to a Passive House Building:

1) Super insulated envelopes

2) Airtight construction

3) High-performance glazing

4) Thermal-bridge-free detailing, and 

5) Heat recovery ventilation.

“The only other Passive House Public Building is a Community Centre in Moreland.”

The Cowes site is on track to be completed by the end of 2023, with the theatre area wall panels to be installed soon. 

The theatre ceiling panel installation is nearing completion and services works continue above theatre stage. 

Hannah confirmed plaster works are nearing completion in the theatre, the door frames are installed, and painting has commenced. 

Remaining capping/flashings to the roof will be installed shortly. The function room, amenities and grand hall ceiling pelmets and framing ongoing, as well as tiling to the amenities is also ongoing.   

“The back of house rough in is complete, with sheeting ongoing. The mechanical equipment lifted into plant room and fit off commenced. Window frame installation is complete, and external glazing will be ongoing, plus internal glazing is still to commence.

“The brickwork is also ongoing to western elevation. The library and office services rough in is complete, with ground floor ceilings and walls being sheeted,” said Hannah. 

The level one ceilings and walls are being sheeted, the brickwork is complete to northern elevation, and window frame installation is nearing completion, with floor grinding to commence in the coming weeks.

For more information on the Cowes Culture and Community centre visit Cowes Cultural and Community Centre | Engage Bass Coast.