Case Studies
Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre
Design Feature
Type of project
Local Government Initiative
State
QLD
Location
Urban
Brisbane City Council's Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre, located inKarawatha Forest Park, aims to inform locals and visitors about the environmental significance of the natural area. The project provides unique, multi-sensory, interactive play and learning experiences, including an insight into the local frog population and Queensland’s first outdoor nature play space.
Enabling creative and memorable interaction
Karawatha Forest is one of the largest areas of remnant bushland within Brisbane and is home to more than 320 native plant species, and more than 200 species of wildlife including the highest diversity of frog species in Brisbane and a number of rare and threatened species.
Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre weaved together art, architecture, and nature to create an interactive collection of indoor and outdoor learning activities and displays in a forest setting. The nature play space at the Discovery Centre was the first in Queensland and uses landscape-based materials and artwork, rather than traditional play equipment, to engage children and facilitate an interest in and respect for the natural world.
Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre weaved together art, architecture, and nature to create an interactive collection of indoor and outdoor learning activities and displays in a forest setting. The nature play space at the Discovery Centre was the first in Queensland and uses landscape-based materials and artwork, rather than traditional play equipment, to engage children and facilitate an interest in and respect for the natural world.
The modern architecture of the main display building was designed to juxtapose with the natural appearance of the surroundings. However, to ensure the design was not overpowering in the natural setting, a nature-patterned facade (coloured to match the forest shadows) was applied which, at particular times in the day, can make the main building seem to disappear. In this way, the structure does not interfere with the surrounding natural area’s sense of place and has minimal environmental impact.
Before the Discovery Centre was built, the local community expressed a desire to highlight the unique and important value of the area. As a result, Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre educates visitors of the environmental significance of the natural area in a creative and interactive way. Visitors are encouraged to interact and engage in unstructured play, bringing a sense of vibrancy to the local area.
The Discovery Centre provides a space in the community that facilitates incidental physical activity, social interaction and the development of a sense of place via acknowledgement of the natural surroundings. Furthermore, it promotes a vision for the community that is environmentally sustainable into the future.
Project team
- Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability Branch, Brisbane City Council
- City Projects Office, Brisbane City Council
- Focus Productions (interior fit out of Centre)
- Lavaworks (artist for bronze sculptures)
- Karawatha Forest Protection Society (KFPS)
Project Cost
$7 Million
Health value
- Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre offers an active and healthy way for children to explore the world around them, both through the outdoor nature play area and the indoor interactive learning environment.
- The Discovery Centre informs visitors about the surrounding Karawatha Forest, providing key information about native plants and wildlife and inspiring visitors to explore the area in-person through the many walking tracks or picnic grounds.
- This enhanced recreation space provides opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors which contributes to positive family life and can improve mental and social and wellbeing.
Economic value
- Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre provides an attractive space for all ages, and encourages visitors from wider-Brisbane and south-east Queensland.
- Residents and other local visitors have expressed that the Discovery Centre attracts overseas visitors, providing economic value through tourism opportunities.
Environmental value
- The Discovery Centre highlights the significance of Karawatha Forest as one of the largest areas of remnant bushland within Brisbane. It is home to more than 320 native plant species and more than 200 species of wildlife including the highest diversity of frog species in Brisbane and a number of rare and threatened species.
- The buildings use robust materials to achieve a high standard of durability, a key consideration when building in a remote outdoor environment. This decreases the maintenance and/or need for replacement materials.
- The project has a positive environmental impact by incorporating sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting to flush toilets, and solar panels to offset energy use.
- The internal display space uses environmentally-considerate technologies and materials chosen for their low maintenance requirement.
- Other environmental considerations within the Discovery Centre’s design include having rainwater from roofs, car park surfaces and pathways diverted through rain gardens and natural rock-lined, vegetated channels to ensure that water leaves the site clean, as if the Discovery Centre was not there. These natural water passages continue through the nature play space before diverting to the edge of the forest, leading to a sensitive frog habitat area.
Social value
- The Discovery Centre encourages a greater sense of ownership of the forest, creating a collective sense of ‘our’ forest within the community, and fostering community spirit and protective feelings toward the environment. The sense of community ownership leads to repeat visitation and positive motivation to make personal sustainable choices.
- The project provides an educational and social engagement opportunity. Visitors of all ages can engage with a variety of indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, including nature play, plant and wildlife identification, and interactive walks through the area. Other highlights include an interactive floor projection of a frog habitat, a sculptural forest discovery area, a night-time theatre room and a virtual-reality flying experience.
- Creative, meaningful, memorable and playful interaction with the features of the Discovery Centre can lead to positive behaviour -change around environmental sustainability in individuals and the broader community.
- The local area is culturally and linguistically diverse with approximately 50% of residents speaking a first language other than English. The Discovery Centre provides a welcoming environment for all visitors and the focus on interactive learning through images and sensory techniques is able to transcend language barriers.
- Community members have expressed desire to bring their overseas relatives to the Discovery Centre when visiting Brisbane. Having a local asset that they can proudly show to visitors helps to foster community spirit and generate social cohesiveness.
Use value
- The Discovery Centre provides an opportunity for visitors to spend time together while exploring the local environment.
- This unique facility allows residents to proudly show their local environment to visitors in an engaging and interactive way.
- The educational elements of the project are unique and interesting, using interactive experiences to help facilitate behaviour-change and encourage environmentally sustainable choices.
Stay informed. Sign up to our newsletter.
I agree that I have read and I accept the Heart Foundation's Privacy Statement.