Sydney’s Waverley Council has proposed a multi-million dollar refurbishment of its Bondi chambers building, designed by Lahznimmo, with Antelope and landscape architects Black Beetle.
The original council chambers was built in 1913 and throughout the past century has had a series of ad hoc alterations and additions.
The council says the building is “at the end of its life” and a number of urgent repairs are needed, as well as asbestos removal and addressing water leaks, poor insulation and lack of accessibility.
In 2019, the council decided that instead of doing sporadic repairs to the building, it would instead refurbish the entire facility “to make it more efficient.”
The proposed refurbishment of Waverley council chambers by Lahznimmo, Antelope and Black Beetle.
The design includes a double height foyer that will provide space for informal meetings and displays, a new roof with solar panels that will generate energy for the facility, and an internal refurbishment that would remove asbestos, improve accessibility and replace inefficient building services.
The refurbishment will also see the forecourt expanded with improved amenities for the public, and the street frontage revamped with a design that references colours and textures of nearby coastal cliffs.
The design aims for high level of sustainability to reduce the council’s carbon footprint, in line with council’s goal of becoming net zero by 2030.
The council is seeking community feedback on the design until 4 May.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
