The Archerfield Wetlands Community Hub forms part of the broader transformation of a former wastewater treatment plant into a $22 million recreational hub. Delivered for the Brisbane Sustainability Agency, an initiative of Brisbane City Council, in collaboration with Urbis and head contractor EPOCA Construction, the project contributes to a larger vision of ecological restoration, community engagement, and long-term environmental stewardship.
Positioned as a functional and adaptable base within the park, the hub supports a range of public, educational, and operational uses. The building is organised as a collection of distinct yet connected elements, unified by a covered external colonnade that acts as the primary circulation spine.
A Flexible Civic Space
At its centre is a flexible community space, designed to accommodate events, workshops, and public hire. The space integrates audio-visual infrastructure and can operate with or without furniture, supported by adjacent storage that allows for quick reconfiguration. Large sliding doors open directly onto a covered outdoor area, extending the program and enabling use across seasons. Generous ceiling heights reinforce this connection, creating a continuous indoor-outdoor environment.
A Flexible Civic Space
At its centre is a flexible community space, designed to accommodate events, workshops, and public hire. The space integrates audio-visual infrastructure and can operate with or without furniture, supported by adjacent storage that allows for quick reconfiguration. Large sliding doors open directly onto a covered outdoor area, extending the program and enabling use across seasons. Generous ceiling heights reinforce this connection, creating a continuous indoor-outdoor environment.
Durable Public Infrastructure
Other functions sit off the spine. Public amenities support the wider park. Lettable office space provides a base for ongoing use. A community-run nursery extends the project into the landscape, supporting planting, education, and maintenance of the wetlands. This is paired with a more utilitarian interior workspace for potting, storage, and preparation, along with external areas for equipment and vehicle use.
The building is intentionally robust. Materials are selected for durability and flood resilience, allowing the structure to be washed down and returned to service following inundation. Internally, finishes are left raw and functional. Fibre cement linings, exposed structure, and hard-wearing floors reduce cost and remove the pressure of occupation. The building is not precious. It is designed to be used.
A Lasting Public Place
Archerfield Wetlands Community Hub is grounded in a pragmatic approach to sustainability. Rather than relying on applied systems, the building reduces impact through its organisation, material selection, and long-term performance. Spaces are simple and adaptable, allowing the building to be used in different ways over time without requiring modification. Materials are robust, low maintenance, and suited to flooding, enabling the building to be cleaned and returned to service rather than repaired or replaced. This approach supports longevity. The building is designed to endure, to be used heavily, and to operate with minimal intervention. In doing so, it reduces waste, extends its lifecycle, and supports the ongoing function of the wetlands.
