The Riverside Pavilion is a new destination for the people of the ACT, resting on the edge of the Murrumbidgee River near the border with NSW. The primary function of the Pavilion is to support the various Riverside Parkland amenities and act as a central hub for information, education, park support and sustenance.

The building itself is nestled into the landscape, subservient to it. When viewed from afar the building either disappears from view, hidden by landscape or appears to emerge from it, blurring the boundary between building and landform. The Pavilion form – boomerang like in its primary geometry – responds both to the river itself and the surrounding existing landscape. The Western frontage is shaped around a natural bowl between the building and river, formalising it as an outdoor amphitheatre. The Eastern arrival side is largely hidden by the elevated landscape with only the building entry being carved away defining a legible front door. This main entry, created by subtraction forms the partial perimeter of a larger circular arrival courtyard between the building and vehicle drop-off.

Internal spaces are organised in layers from East to West. A working wall containing all the service spaces and utility required to support the primary programs runs the length of the Eastern side of the plan. This strategy liberates the Western side – with its outlook out across the river – for use as a collection of light-filled, flexible teaching and kiosk spaces. The kiosk doubles as a teaching space with three distinct areas: internal, undercover outdoor and open outdoor terrace. Dedicated education spaces are flexible in their configurations catering to groups large and small with integrated storage to ensure spaces are free from unnecessary furniture when not required.

The landscaped roof extends over the service spaces with native planting placed strategically to partially conceal any roof top services and penetrations. This strategy ensures the metal roof is left as a clean, uninterrupted surface. The material and colour palette of the Pavilion draws inspiration from nature. A collection of earthy tones reflecting the soil, stone and timber surrounding it, combines with the native vegetation covering the roof. Materials themselves have been chosen for their durability and sustainable attributes, having the ability to weather in place gracefully.

The Pavilion will facilitate a range of both indoor and outdoor activities on the site, acting as a starting point and end of trip destination for the various tracks and trails to be created within the park and beyond. The building will also anchor and support the ongoing rehabilitation and preservation of the riverside eco-system through monitoring, education and land management, underpinned by a meaningful connection to country mindset, guided by the hands of our first nations people.