colorful façade made of glazed bricks clads springvale community hub by lyons in australia

lyons architecture has completed the ‘springvale community hub’, a new multi-purpose community facility for the city of springvale, australia. the western side of the building is clad in a colorful façade of custom glazed bricks, which represent colors from the various national flags that make up the current demographic of springvale. at the same time, the northern side faetures a hyper reflective surface combined with locally sourced timber fins, while the eastern façade is finished in tones of brown and terracotta to reflect common suburban rooftops in the city.all images by john gollings

lyons architecture, alongside landscape architecture studio rush wright associates, responded to the urban context of springvale, reflecting its built and natural features, as well as social, economic and environmental stories. the ‘springvale community hub’ acts as a mirror to the community of springvale, reflecting the unique identities of the people that call it home.

‘we won the design competition to design a community hub that reflects and supports the diverse immigrant community of springvale now and well into the future,’ says james wilson, director of lyons. ‘the result is a project that exceeds sustainability standards and celebrates the surburb’s cultural fabric from every angle.’

the new multi-purpose community hub offers a variety of learning, recreational and cultural facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, flexible community meeting spaces, a new customer service area and extensively landscaped green spaces and outdoor activity areas. additionally, a café provides a space to meet and relax, while the technology hall gives access to screens and spaces to work and connect. outdoor spaces encourage community engagement, with multi-use courts, playgrounds, extensively landscaped gardens, and an outdoor accessible bathroom.

located in the greater dandenong city council, the most culturally diverse community in australia, springvale has a large vietnamese population as well as residents from over 99 other birthplaces. the new community hub incorporates design elements that reflect its culturally diverse population. the western façade is clad in custom glazed bricks that represent colors from the various national flags that make up the city’s current demographic. additionally, the customer service hall, situated close to the center of the hub for improved accessibility, uses colors and shapes that reference the enterprise rose—a symbol of hope, safety and beauty for more than 30.000 immigrants and refugees who entered australia through the enterprise migrant hostel in springvale.

the project also benefits from carefully thought-out landscaping, which provides grounds of multicultural plantings for locals to wander and play, winding around the building. rather than removing the existing native red gum trees, the design curves around them, honoring their presence. the trees also offer shade to the external patio areas and increase views to nature from the inside.