Architecture

Cairns visitor center features a reflective armor-like facade

Cairns visitor center features a reflective armor-like facade
Charles Wright Architects have created a unique visitor center in Cairns, Queensland which was inspired by the science-fiction film Predator
Charles Wright Architects have created a unique visitor center in Cairns, Queensland which was inspired by the science-fiction film Predator
View 10 Images
Charles Wright Architects have created a unique visitor center in Cairns, Queensland which was inspired by the science-fiction film Predator
1/10
Charles Wright Architects have created a unique visitor center in Cairns, Queensland which was inspired by the science-fiction film Predator
The center’s facade features a series of reflective glass panels which almost resemble some sort of armor
2/10
The center’s facade features a series of reflective glass panels which almost resemble some sort of armor
The center's sun-filled north-facing block features the information center, exhibition area, multi-purpose hall, a courtyard amphitheater, café and terrace
3/10
The center's sun-filled north-facing block features the information center, exhibition area, multi-purpose hall, a courtyard amphitheater, café and terrace
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Center is closely aligned with an external pedestrian promenade, which weaves its way through the gardens
4/10
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Center is closely aligned with an external pedestrian promenade, which weaves its way through the gardens
The center incorporates sustainable systems such as photovoltaic panels which feed solar energy back onto the grid
5/10
The center incorporates sustainable systems such as photovoltaic panels which feed solar energy back onto the grid
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Center by Charles Wright Architects
6/10
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Center by Charles Wright Architects
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Center reflects its surrounding botanical garden landscape
7/10
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Center reflects its surrounding botanical garden landscape
The office space has been adapted for its tropical climate and incorporates the maximum use of passive cross-ventilation
8/10
The office space has been adapted for its tropical climate and incorporates the maximum use of passive cross-ventilation
Solar reflective glass and insulated interior thermal mass throughout help reduce energy loss
9/10
Solar reflective glass and insulated interior thermal mass throughout help reduce energy loss
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitors Center was the recipient of the 2012 Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year presented by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)
10/10
The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitors Center was the recipient of the 2012 Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year presented by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)
View gallery - 10 images

Australian firm Charles Wright Architects has created a unique visitor center in Cairns, Queensland which was inspired by the science-fiction film Predator. The center’s facade features a series of reflective glass panels which almost resemble some sort of armor, while at the same time reflecting the surrounding botanical garden landscape.

“We proposed a design which literally reflects the gardens as camouflage for the building with visual effect similar to the suit as worn by the alien hunter in the original 1987 Predator film,” says Charles Wright Architects.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Center is closely aligned with an external pedestrian promenade, which weaves its way through the gardens and links to the city’s Arts Center precinct. The thoroughly mapped-out design allows visitors to gain access to information points, performance spaces and rest areas while seamlessly walking through the lush northern-Australian rainforest gardens. It is also hoped that the distorted reflective glass panels, coupled with the abundance of native trees and plant life that surround the structure, will deter birds from colliding with the glass.

The center comprises two structures – a sun-filled north-facing block featuring the information center, exhibition area, multi-purpose hall, a courtyard amphitheater, café and terrace, and the southern block which is dedicated to an office hub for council staff. The office space has been adapted for its tropical climate and incorporates the maximum use of passive cross-ventilation.

“We set-out to design a 'green' building which represents a paradigm shift for Cairns, moving away from the conventional building vernaculars toward new and progressive solutions that can be applied anywhere on a tropical latitude,” says Charles Wright Architects.

The center incorporates further sustainable systems such as photovoltaic panels which feed solar energy back onto the grid, storm-water harvesting, low-energy light fittings, low water usage fittings, efficient construction materials, solar reflective glass and insulated interior thermal mass throughout to reduce energy loss.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitors Center was the recipient of the 2012 Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year, presented by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). The jury commended the project, stating that is was “a courageous and radical departure from classic crafted and lightweight Queensland visitor centers, this alternative approach to environmental fit has clearly generated a potent sense of place and use of light. Exhibits both outstanding working and visitor environments within a clear sustainability ethos.”

Source: Charles Wright Architects via Dezeen

View gallery - 10 images
2 comments
2 comments
Robert Wilcox
All those mirrors in a Botanic Garden, good thing Birds can see the difference between mirrors and trees right? Oh they cant? oh well, the smart ones will learn!
Niko
Totally agree with Robert. I have a green house wich features less than 15 sq m of glass (the rest is PVC) and so far one bird per year made the fatal misjudgment, that the dirty glass is in fact NOT thin air.
However it is a very stylish way to decimate the local aerial fauna. But at least the flora is happy.