Dogwood turns 10!

Twelve years since Fulton Trotter was engaged for the design of one of Western Downs Regional Council’s to be most iconic building [Dogwood Crossing @ Miles], it still stands as one of the region’s proudest assets.

Engaged by the then Murilla Shire Council, now the Western Downs Regional Council, Paul Trotter recalls the ‘excitement’ and ‘passion’ of the design for the building. It began with Paul’s usual sketchy and narrative stories about the site and the region which was a result of both the consultation with the community and a long lunch with his brother Mark at the Bookies Club in Spring Hill. The structure is dominated by an animation/collage of abstract steel bottle trees (design by Paul Trotter himself) which are decoratively lit at night; with a design concept exploring the theme of ‘crossings’ as developed by the exhibition designers and project managers Interpretive Solutions (Michael James, David Pyle, Sandy Rodgers and Frank Chalmers).

Ten years on and Western Downs Regional Council has celebrated a huge milestone for a very popular attraction in their region. The building has become a local icon through its unique and bold bottle tree columns that are instantly recognisable. The bottle trees have been merged into the region’s branding material for tourist promotion, as well as many of Paul’s early sketches such as the one featured on the celebratory cake of the ‘crossing’ itself.

Kerry Mulholland had the honours of presenting a speech to officially celebrate the project. He recapped on the history of the project, noting its strategic planning process and initial visions for the building. It would be to represent ‘People, Place, History and Memory’. In late 2000, Paul Trotter of Fulton Trotter Architects was engaged for the job.

Kerry recalled “Paul Trotter, the architect took us on a journey through the design process. We wanted the biggest space we could get for the money. A rectangular prism form and lots of corrugated iron would have suited. The architects retained the brick face of the old building. Paul was a very observant architect, his team created a wonderful fusion of form and function. They ensured the building was sensitive to the environment and that it would live. Furthermore, he designed the bottle trees icon which created an uplifting space that draws your eyes up and out. It becomes an unbelievable feature at night. The vinyl patterns on the floor represent a dry creek bed which creates interesting form to the floor. It was an innovative design for its time because it combined an art gallery, library, IT centre and a local history museum. In its location, it forms a main part to our streetscape and I’m sure it’s a recognisable landmark to any travellers heading north or west”.

Kerry finished by celebrating the “timeless design” and looks forward to its bright future servicing not only the community, but also visitors to the region.

Fulton Trotter was proud to have been involved with such a wonderful team of architects, exhibition designers, engineers and most importantly council and the community. This project continues to demonstrate the uniqueness of its region and carries a proud value to the community.

The practice would also like to congratulate everyone who was involved on this wonderful “timeless design”.

The design team who worked on this project also worked together on the Hinkler Hall of Aviation and has now formed a joint venture called i5 Consulting which can be found at www.i5.net.au.

Client: Murilla Shire Council, now Western Downs Regional Council | Budget: 1M | Team: Paul Trotter, Mark Trotter, John Hay, Mark Sciberras, Anna McKinlay, Michael James, David Pyle, Sandy Rodgers, Frank Chalmers | Awards: 2005 RAIA Regional Commendation for Public Architecture | Builder: FK Gardener | Photographer: Stephen Walker

“It puts a smile on your face when you see it at night or enter it…..we have a timeless building.”

– Kerry Mulholland, Dogwood Crossing Community Reference Group Member

“Dogwood Crossing is the cultural heart of the community, inspiring and entertaining those who visit.”

– Queensland Holidays

“This magnificent building was built and opened in 2002. It is part of the Heritage Trails Network that can be found in many towns across regional and rural Queensland. It contains an Art gallery, Library, IT centre and an informative display on the history of the Murilla Shire and the importance of water to our community. Entry is free. A visit to this facility will compliment your trip to the Miles Historical Village or Town Walk.”

– Columboola Environmental Education Centre

The award winning building [Dogwood Crossing] has itself become a cultural icon for the region with the seven metre tall, stylized bottle trees forming a colonnade down the centre of the facility.

– Museum & Gallery Services Queensland