AN EXCITING development has been rustling the leaves of tuarts in Baldivis.
The Baldivis Children’s Forest group and fourth year architecture students from Curtin University have collaborated to design a dedicated Environmental Education Centre for the forest.
Concept designs for a functional building with classrooms, toilets and a kitchen that complement the surrounding bushland were presented to local and state government representatives and businesses at a sponsorship launch on October 2.
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READ NOWCurtin University is conducting a semester long design studio to further the designs.
A $200,000 pre-election promise by Baldivis MP Reece Whitby on behalf of the state government made the project possible.
“The creation of this centre is the number one local commitment to be delivered to the Baldivis community and it’s great to see other others join in and want to become involved,” he said.
“It’s a brilliant way for businesses and others to give back to our community.”
Active Sustainability’s David Beyer is the project manager said they need $500,000 to start building.
“A really thorough engagement can bring more people in – our objective is start building by early next year,” he said.
Curtin University’s School of Design and the Built Environment Lecturer Lara McIntosh the focus was around how people can learn and grow in places.
“It’s been an amazing opportunity and I would like to thank David for allowing us to come and have a play,” she said.
“The build concept is about place and how places become special.”
“It has been a forest of ideas with 27 different projects for this site.”
Groups of students have been assigned different parts of the forest to design; from the car park through to the amphitheatre.