James Street
Cultural Precinct
Concept Design, Business Case and Place Management Plan Report
Introduction
CHRISTOU Design Group were commissioned to prepare the concept design and business case for James Street Cultural Precinct.
The scope involved:
• Stakeholder briefing workshops
• PCG Executive
• Briefing workshop with elected members
• Presentation to elected members
CHRISTOU prepared 4 concept design options. All options were costed.
The PCG directed CHRISTOU to refine Option 1A.
To refine Option 1A, to prepare staging phases for Option 1A and the staging to consider:
• Stage 1 $30.0M
Phase A $22.5M
Phase B $7.5M
• Remaining stages to be determined in the future.
The report consists of 3 parts.
Detailed Concept Design Report
Place Management Plan
Executive Summary
The James Street Cultural Precinct concept and business case package will be a major transformation within the Esperance Central Business District, comprising of the following main projects:
1. Cultural and Tourism Hub
Development of a new landmark facility to accommodate a range of important public uses including:
• Library,
• Museum,
• Volunteer Centre,
• Tourist Information Centre
• Café
• Function Centre
• Flexible spaces.
2. Goods Shed Redevelopment
Partial demolition of existing facilities to support heritage preservation, precinct connectivity, flexible spaces and economic diversification that will include:
• Gallery + Arts Spaces
• Creative + Maker Spaces
• Storage areas
• Food & Beverage Tenancies
• New through site link connecting James St to the Community Square
3. Exterior landscape spaces
Creation of welcoming themed spaces for active recreation and performances, supported by environmentally sensitive landscape design celebrating First Nations culture.
• New Plaza to the corner of James St and the Esplanade
• Yarning Circle
• New forecourt to the James St frontage
• New Community Square / Event Space for large events
• New stage / performance area
• Widening of Langham Lane
• New Green Space off Langham Lane
• New carpark off Lanham Lane + Dempster Street
• Removal of existing ponds to Museum Park
All of the elements of this project respond directly to the aspirations of the Shire of Esperance, cultural and historical values along with the unique location and the environmental constraints associated with it.
Street Cultural Precinct Detailed Concept Design Report
7
This report has ben prepared by Christou Design Group for
1. Introduction
1.1 Executive Summary
This Schematic Design Report encompasses the concept design and preliminary business case for the Shire of Esperance’s James Street Cultural Precinct development.
The Project will be a major transformation within the Esperance Central Business District, comprising seven main packages:
1. Cultural and Tourism Hub – Development of a landmark facility to accommodate a Library, Museum, Volunteer Centre, Tourist Information Centre, and other flexible spaces.
2. Goods Shed Redevelopment – Partial demolition of existing facilities to support heritage preservation, precinct connectivity, flexible spaces and economic diversification.
3. Parklands - Creation of welcoming themed spaces for active recreation and performances, supported by environmentally sensitive landscape design celebrating First Nations culture.
4. James Street Upgrade – Improvements to pedestrian movement and car parking supported by smart technologies, greening and infrastructure relocation.
5. Andrew Street Link – Consolidation of parking areas and creation of new pedestrian links.
6. Other Roads and Parking Upgrades – Creation of overflow parking for tourists and precinct users.
7. Museum Village Revitalisation – Improved functionality and heritage preservation of existing assets to enhance visitor experiences.
Following endorsement from Council of the Master plan, it was agreed by the Shire that the priority work packages to be progressed will include work packages 1, 2 and 3 for this scope stage of the project.
2. Location, Constraints & Opportunities
2.1 High Level Site Analysis
Understanding the site, constraints and environmental factors to shape the design
The site is regarded as the James Street Precinct, primarily bounded by Dempster Street, Kemp Street, Langham Lane and James Street. The entire site encompasses an approx. area of 4.6 ha, however, the focus of Stage 1 is the southern portion of Museum Park, on the corner of James Street and Esplanade.
The key assets proposed to be redeveloped are:
• Goods Shed Museum
• Esperance Public Library (currently located offsite)
• Amphitheatre
• Museum Park landscape - removal of existing ponds
Some of the key constraints of the existing assets were noted:
• Lack of connection through the site between the various assets
• Limited interaction with the foreshore
• The site is exposed to the elements (high winds)
• Limited opportunity for commercial enterprises to thrive
• Uninviting presence (the landscape hides the features of the area)
• Underutilised public open space
• Ageing infrastructure
• Poor connection to the broader town centre. Opportunities recognised for the site include:
• Renewal / integrations of community and civic assets
• Revitalisation of an underutilised public open space
• Central location surrounded by major visitation nodes
• Complementary to the redeveloped foreshore
• Flexible zoning allowing for a variance of uses
• Strong tourism sector to support utilisation and activation
• Preserving and promoting the local heritage of the surrounds
• Improved connection to the foreshore and town centre
• Opportunity for commercial integration or private sector support (upfront capital and on-going).
While the challenges that the project will introduce include:
• Site is a Crown Reserve (i.e. potential additional planning conditions / obligations subject to final use)
• Exposure to the natural elements
• Ongoing financial and operating viability
• Development of a strong staging and funding strategy
• Ensuring connection across the whole
3. Concept & Vision
5.1 Separation into the key stages
Using staging to create an economically viable project that still fulfils the immediate needs of Esperance
THE GREATER VISION FOR ESPERANCE
The project recognises the importance of the well connected location to the Esperance CBD and foreshore it was imperative that the design vision and objectives exceed the community’s expectations. The key design drivers were:
1. CONNECTIONS - Connecting Precinct to Esplanade, Foreshore, CBD and Ocean Pool
2. CELEBRATING HISTORY - Create the Goods Shed as a “building in the round:”
3. GATEWAY – Connection to Goldfields and Port.
4. RESPOND TO PLACE – Patterning / Materials & Organic Forms
5. RECOGNITION OF COUNTRY - create meaningful connections with the First Nations People of the land and celebrate their rich history and traditions
6. IDENTITY - Incorporate The Past, The Present & Emerging Identity that is unique to Esperance
This concept design works on developing these key principles whilst adding further emphasis on the ‘end user satisfaction’ as part of the placemaking.
• A SENSE OF BELONGING - The precinct will be a unique space that fits in with Esperance rather than trying to change it.
• INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTION - The Precinct will be a space for all to enjoy regardless of age, interests and abilities.
• COMMUNITY SPIRIT, PRIDE, EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE
- The precinct embodies the strong community spirit that exists within Esperance and will build on the sense of pride that is already felt whilst also symbolising the strength through adversory that the community has endured over its rich history
• ENJOYMENT & HAPPYINESS - The Precinct intends to fulfill a number of key principles and objectives, but ultimately one of the most important aspects simply comes down to the enjoyment and happiness.
Heritage Adaptive Reuse
Museum
Visitor Centre
Events / Outdoor
5. Functions , Links & Connectivity
5.1 Analysing Functions & Connections
LINKAGES
The project works by creating key pedestrian links that connect the Foreshore to the Esperance Central Business District and the surrounding community areas by establishing a number of key pedestrian links.
The new building is split between the Visitors Centre and the Cafe which then connects to the future F&B tenancies of the Goods Shed.
Cross site connections are also established via the Heritage Plaza on the corners of James St and the Esplanade and a secondary link through the Goods Shed connects CWA precinct on the opposite site of James Street
FUNCTIONAL ZONES
The ground level is intended to be adaptable to not only blend key areas together like the visitor’s centre with the library, Indigenous with the new museum but also promotes interaction and true activation to the spaces.
The Goods Shed with its food and beverage tenancy also has the ability to blend and join up with nearby spaces like the gallery, however it’s also able to be contained and operate on its own. Key back of house areas like kitchens, bathrooms, stores and service routes are all shared to optimise efficiencies whilst also remaining discrete, functional and can be managed effectively by staff.
6. Development Staging Plan
6.1 Separation into the key stages
Using staging to create an economically viable project that still fulfils the immediate needs of Esperance
As documented within the business case, the total scope of work for the James Street Cultural Precinct project was estimated to be in the order of $60 Million. Thereforeee, the following staging plan was developed, to deliver the project across four stages within a 20 year period.
The scope, indicative cost and delivery time frame for each stage has been summarised in the table below.
The proposed staging plan allows for a smooth transition of services, without impacting existing operations (e.g. museum continues to operate in the existing Goods Shed, until the new museum is built (Stage 2). Then allows for uninterrupted redevelopment of the Goods Shed (Stages 3 and 4).
The timing between stages also reflects the time required to lobby and acquire external funding, with each stage assuming at least half of the delivery cost will be funded by an external party, such as Federal or State Governments.
Stage 1 will be designed and delivered to ensure it can accommodate the integration of future stages. A construction management plan will be incorporated to ensure the targeted $30m project budget is met
7. The New Facility
The new facility is a two-level stand alone building that predominantly occupies the Esplanade frontage. The building contains the following: Ground Level
• Library - Periodicals
- Adult
- Childrens + secure outdoor playground
- Study areas
- Meeting rooms
- Collaboration Spaces
- Reading / Quiet Areas
• Visitors Centre
• Administration – shared between visitor’s centre and library
• Internal amphitheatre
• BOH toilet facilities
• Café
• Museum (stage 2) Level 1
• Library
- young adult - study areas
• Function Centre – that can be divided into large single space or smaller meeting rooms
• Pre Function area – doubles up as indoor / outdoor area
• Bar + private terrace
• Service Kitchen
• FFE storerooms
• Toilet facilities
7. The New Facility
7.2 Operable Facade
Ensuring year round internal comfort whilst not affecting views out
An important element of the new facility is the operable façade to the upper level. The site is greatly affected by the harsh morning and afternoon sun along with strong winds and storms. In order to meet the requirements of providing protection, reducing glare to the spaces within whilst not sacrificing the dramatic ocean views or connection to the activities within the communal events courtyard, an operable façade system has been used.
This façade allows for both independent and automatic control that ensures the optimum internal conditions are met for the library, function room, bar, bar terrace and pre-function areas.
The final added benefit of this façade system will be a considerable reduction in solar heat gain thereforeee reducing energy consumption and greatly improving the buildings environmentally sustainable credentials.
Perspective: View from communal courtyard - screen closed
Perspective: View from Esplanade - screen open
Perspective: View from communal courtyard - screen open
Perspective: View from heritage courtyard to James St - screen open
Appendix A Architectural Plans
Approved Scheme Based off Original Project Brief
Appendix A - Site Plan
Appendix A - Ground Floor
Appendix A - First Floor
Appendix A
Architectural Sections
Approved Scheme Based off Original Project Brief
Appendix A - New Building Sections
SECTION 1 - James St Courtyard + Cafe, Library, Function Room + Museum
SECTION 2 - Community Square through site link from the waterfront
Appendix A - New Building Sections
SECTION 3 - Library through to Esplanade
SECTION 4 - Esplanade to Museum
MUSEUM
MUSEUM
MUSEUM PARK MUSEUM
AMPHITHEATRE
WATERFRONT
Appendix A - Goods Shed Sections
GALLERY SPACES
F&B - ‘Gin Bar’
F&B - ‘Main Hall’
F&B ‘The Grill’
Appendix A - Goods Shed Sections
GALLERY
JAMES ST
JAMES
Appendix A
Architectural Visualisations
Approved Scheme Based off Original Project Brief
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Aerial West
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Aerial East
Appendix A - Visuals
In-House Visuals - The Esplanade
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - The Esplanade + James Street Heritage Courtyard
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Heritage Courtyard looking out to The Esplanade (Facade Open)
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - The Esplanade Sculpture Courtyard
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Connection to foreshore
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Museum
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Community Event Space from park land
Appendix A - Visuals
In-House Visuals - Community Event Space
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Community Event Space + Goods Shed
Appendix A - Visuals
Appendix A - Visuals
In-House Visuals - Library Towards Internal Square
Appendix A - Visuals
In-House Visuals - Library Facing Esplanade
Appendix A - Visuals
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Upper Level + Amphitheater
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Link between cafe + Goods Shed
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Connection to Esplanade from Community Courtyard (Facade Closed)
Appendix A - Visuals
Indicative In-House Visuals - Connection to Esplanade from Community Courtyard (Facade Open)
Indicative In-House Visuals - New Link to James Street through Goods Shed
Indicative In-House Visuals - James St Link and Gallery Entry
Appendix B - Landscape Report
ESPERANCE JAMES STREET CULTURAL PRECINCT
Landscape Planning & Schematic Design
ESPERANCE JAMES STREET CULTURAL PRECINCT
Schematic Site Planning & Design Brief
06.09.2023
WINDICH ST
JAMES ST
DEMPSTER ST
ST
Langham Lane is sealed and supports access and parking in the precinct.
Relocated bus bays to drop tourists and TransWA passenger at the heart of the new precinct.
Forecourt to potentially include Pilot Boat Exhibit.
New central car park accommodating approximately 40 cars and six long vehicles
La ngham Lan e upgrade d to provide building and car park access, inclu ding long vehicle pa rkin g.
Comfort Inn’s South frontage formalised for serviceable parking planting bu er and pedestrian path
Sheltered village green incorporated which can support daily activities and various scale events
The Goods Shed will be re-imagined as a exible exhibition (museum, art ,etc) , events/functions, hospitality and commercial space. The north eastern side will incorporate a new stage and covered performance space to replace the existing sound shell to be demolished
New cultural and tourism hub, museum, community arts, library and visitor centre. The building will have a strong connection to the foreshore and surrounding precinct.
Noongar culture will be included and embedded into cultural facilities and heritage displays, to ensure a shared history and culture are threaded into as many experiences as possible
GOODS SHED
PROPOSED BUILDING
MINIUMUM DIMENSIONS TO CAR PARK ENTRY 20M
DESTINATION
WAYFIND
STATION
INFORMATION PRECINCT
W A YFINDING STRA TEG Y
Wayfinding adopts a holistic approach bringing together site planning, design, wayfinding, interpretation, and public art to provide a cohesive, legible, and navigable urban environment for all users and visitors.
Wayfinding is expressed through a series of readily identifiable and hierarchical information elements and signs that allow users and visitors to navigate and interpret the site.
In all cases, all elements of the wayfinding strategy reinforce and enhances a sites sense of place.
Identification, wayfinding, and information elements are expressed by:
DESTINATION
• Primarily large sign, interpretive element, or public artwork;
• Acts as an entry statement or major destination point, trail head for the whole facility or precinct marker;
• Generally, comprises artistic expression or generous graphic element(s) with limited text;
• Generally, highly stylized expressing genius loci;
• Generally commanding in scale;
• Legible by vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian;
• May include additional landscape or built features; and
• May be associated with major mixed transportation nodes.
WAYFIND
• Primarily medium size wayfinding and direction signs;
• Designate pathways to destinations and or entry points;
• Comprises graphics and text information with a preference for graphics; and
• Legible primarily by bicycle and pedestrian or internal vehicular circulation.
STATION
• Generally smaller signs and markers;
• Primarily identifies internal destination points, entries and point of interest;
• Comprises graphics and text information with a preference for graphics and artistic expression;
• May be combined with interpretation element; and
• Legible primarily by bicycle and0pedestrian or internal vehicle circulation.
INFORMATION
• Information, storytelling, and interpretation signs associated with major elements, facilities, and points of interest;
• Substantial mixed text and graphics with artistic expression, may be tactile and including brail; and
• Legible primarily by pedestrian and stationary bicycle.
BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES
MAIN ENTRY POINT TO PRECINCT CAR PARK
HISTORIC RAILWAY REFERENCES JAMES STREET DEMPSTER STREET
COMMUNITY SQUARE
GOODS SHED PROPOSED BUILDING
EXTEND FOOTPATH TO ESPLANDE
TRANS WA BUS STOP (CURRENT)
COMMUNITY SQUARE / EVENT SPACE
EXHIBITION COURTYARD AND CULTURE PRECINCT WESTERN CONCOURSE
POTENTIAL BUS STOP
OUTDOOR CAFE ALFRESCO
ENTRY FORECOURT WITH FORESHORE INTERFACE
LANEWAY UPGRADE WITH BUILDING ACCESS, ON LANE PARKING AND LONG VEHICLE PARKING
MAIN CARPARK
LANDSCAPE BUFFER TO LANEWAY AND NEIGHBOURING PROPERTIES
TO BE DISCUSSED DELETE OR NOT
CHILDRENS COURTYARD WITH PLAY FACILITIES AND SECURITY FENCE
EXISTING TRANS WA BUS STOP LOCATION
RAIL FEATURE IN ACCESS PATH
EVENT STAGE/ PAVILION
PAVED FORECOURT WITH INFORMAL SEATING UNDER FEATURE TREES
SHADE TREES IN PAVING
CUSTOM HERITAGE DISPLAY ITEMS
RAILWAY TRACK
FEATURE INLAY TO HISTORIC ALIGNMENT
TIMBER DECK TO GOODS SHED
POTENTIAL BUS SETDOWN
ARTWORKS/HERITAGE ITEMS TO CONCOURSE
OUTDOOR CAFE UNDERCOVER
OUTDOOR CAFE
RETAIN EXISTING TREES
PAVED PEDESTRIAN ROAD CROSSING
MAIN CARPARK ENTRY
INFORMATION SIGN
PEDESTRIAN PATH
MAIN CAR PARK
40 VEHICLES MIN.
6 LONG VEHICLES MIN.
SHADE TREE PLANTINGS
MAIN CARPARK ENTRY FORECOURT
RETAIN EXISTING TREES
LANEWAY PARKING (90 DEG)
GRASSED GATHERING AND EVENT SPACE
TIMBER DECK
TREES OVER PAVING (LIFTED CANOPIES)
YARNING CIRCLE
BUFFER PLANTING
TIMBER DECK TO FORECOURT
PAVED FORECOURT WITH INFORMAL SEATING UNDER FEATURE TREES
BACKGROUND
The Landscape Architecture supports the development of the Cultural and Tourism Hub that celebrates the regions rich natural and cultural heritage, seamlessly embedded within the Esperance Central Business District. The landscaped Precinct encompasses a landmark facility to accommodate a Library, Museum, Volunteer Centre, Tourist Information Centre, and Goods Shed Redevelopment. Welcoming, universally accessible, and inclusive public spaces accommodating passive and active recreation, including performance spaces, are supported by environmentally sensitive landscape design that preserves and interprets heritage and enhances visitor experiences.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The Precinct celebrates everything Esperance, including the natural environment, its coastal holiday feel and its rich heritage and culture. The Precinct builds on established community spirit, ensuring all locals feel at home and visitors feel welcome. Community is an essential part of what makes Esperance unique and its support adds tangible value to the James Street Cultural Precinct. Major themes to support the landscape philosophy include:
• a taste of Esperance;
• a home for all;
• a culture club;
• a holiday pace; and
• a coastal life.
DESIGN CUES
The local environment provides strong design cues for the project. The natural raw beauty and vibrant colour palette of the region, the majestic Norfolk pines on site, expansive ocean views, the sounds of gulls, the salty air, and the relaxed and low key feel of the town come together to set a relaxed, coastal holiday feel, pace, and aesthetic. These characteristics are emphasised with places to linger, gather, explore and reflect.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
The Precincts community feel and enhanced sense of place is achieved through the provision of safe, sheltered, comfortable, and engaging places to gather, tell stories and interact through both day and night attractions, and provides reasons to revisit on multiple occasions. Multiuse spaces provided in the masterplan include:
• Central community gathering and events space with covered stage;
• Enhanced Goods Shed entry forecourt suitable for display and interpretation opportunities;
• Alfresco area adjacent café;
• Library forecourt;
• Yarning circle precinct;
• Outdoor, enclosed children’s playground;
• Visitor parking and separate bus and coach set down; and
• Strong pedestrian links, including to the foreshore.
The precincts multiuse spaces are supported by safe, universal, and functional pedestrian and vehicular movement systems and strategies.
MATERIALS PHILOSOPHY
Furniture and materials, and their design, finishes, and colour selections will be derived from the local natural and cultural environment to complement and enhance the design philosophy and character of the site.
A coherent aesthetic language will provide colour, texture and variation, enhancing the Precincts strong, unique and cohesive sense of place.
Furniture and material selection will comprise a palette of durable and robust materials that are readily available locally where possible, and are designed to maintain their colour, form, and condition over time. They are proposed to be safe, providing flexibility of use, be durable and robust, responsive to the local marine environment and reduce ongoing maintenance.
PLANTING PHILOSOPHY
The planting design comprised predominantly shade tree planting that looks to provide natural shade and microclimate amelioration to pedestrian, gathering and car parking areas while maintaining open views to important heritage elements including the Goods Shed. Garden beds are designed to support the functional arrangements of the site and provide a soft transition to the north east site boundary. Plant species which have proven to thrive in the existing and surrounding landscapes, reference the local and regional environment and are waterwise are proposed to form the core of the planting palette. Deciduous tree planting to major gathering spaces will allow for summer shade and winter sun access to maximize year-round comfort and adjacent building passive environmental performance. Turf grassing is proposed for the central community gathering and events space providing a soft, cool and versatile multiuse space that will ameliorate the potential heat bank effect of the central north facing courtyard.
IRRIGATION PHILOSOPHY
All new landscape areas will be fully automatically irrigated via fixed irrigation systems serviced from ground water supplies to waterwise design principles and responding to local site and prevailing microclimatic conditions.
FAUNA PROTECTION
Prior to siteworks and decommissioning of existing infrastructure, existing fauna on site shall be assessed and, as required, relocated to suitable adjacent habitat by a fauna relocation specialist in keeping with relevant life and breeding cycles and the construction programme.
NATURAL COLOUR CUES
CULTURAL COLOUR CUES
JAMES STREET CULTURAL PRECINCT -