Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre

The rejuvenated Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre (BNC) by Fulton Trotter Architects delivers a refurbishment of a tired 1960s brick building and a modest addition to the street frontage.

The design reconciles a number of problems on the site and provides a large covered entry, outdoor seating leading to the reception foyer and a number of simple meeting and interview rooms — all of which are folded behind a finely articulated timber screen.

This timber veil gives the Centre a strong identifiable signature and street presence but allows them to quietly and discreetly go about providing services to the community.

BNC is the hub for a number of programs to disadvantaged members of the community, with a range of needs including substance abuse, employment, counseling and short term housing. In response, it was important that the building should be robust without becoming a fortress, welcoming, private, not intimidating and clearly non-institutional. All of those needs were met by utilising the warmth of natural timber.