Ned Kelly Discovery Hub

Development of the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub involved an interdisciplinary design process. Content Studio and Convergence Design partnered as project leads, allowing the design to develop concurrently with the interpretative narratives. The structural engineers (Webb Consult) and landscape architects (Sinatra Murphy) made key contributions. The building is orientated to create visual connections to the siege event sites, and to locations of the broader Kelly story in the northeast region. These views are supported through the lens of interpretation.

The steel structure’s twisted helices and distinctive form are inspired by the iconic armour worn by the Kelly gang. The use of charred timber cladding acknowledges the role of fire in the Australian bush and in the story of the siege. The board and batten cladding references the bush construction typology of the 1800s. Once established, the local Grassy Woodland species planted by Sinatra Murphy will echo the landscape of that time.

A curved staircase follows the line of one of the helices, taking visitors to the circular viewing platform where a central bronze map reveals key staging points of the siege. The ribbon steel and timber seat on the platform is inspired by the sash that Kelly wore under his armour.

The exhibition space features a charged glass projection screen that tells the story of Kelly’s last stand. The screen is framed by a panoramic window that looks over the siege site.

Preservation of cultural heritage was core to resolution of the design brief. Content worked closely with Heritage Victoria and the Australian Heritage Council to preserve and enhance the significance of the site and to ensure the interpretation acknowledged all participants.

Representation of and consultation with the local community, including representatives of Taungurong, Yorta Yorta and Bangarang People and descendants of the key players was critical to the successful outcome.

The Hub’s design is centred around defined, high quality user experiences for those interested in the Kelly story, seeking visitor information, or using the amenities and park facilities. Since its opening in September 2023, the Hub has attracted a monthly average of 6,870 visitors (figures provided by RCoW) indicating a high level of amenity, accessibility, and design excellence.

The building, landscape, and exhibition create a renewed focus for visitors to Glenrowan. The structure’s distinctive form and finish, the reimagining of the landscape of the past, and the integration of contemporary interpretation combine to create a gateway to the siege precinct and the broader Kelly story. The newly created cultural destination makes sense of the surrounding tourism focused businesses.

Car parking, with accessible connecting pathways, has been located adjacent to the site. A lift ensures equitable access to the viewing platform. Internally, assisted audio devices and closed caption multimedia make the exhibition fully inclusive. The Hub is sited on the Glenrowan Kelly Loop bike path and provides amenity for cyclists. A bank of toilets is accessible outside the Hub’s opening hours. Lighting to the building and surrounding area creates a safe nighttime environment for community events.

The landscape architecture sites the building within Lions Park. It reinforces the local Vegetation Protection Overlay’s objectives through seed collection, propagation and the planting of approximately 8,500 trees, shrubs, grasses and understorey plants of local Grassy Woodland provenance.

The complex geometric form, achieved through a structural steel frame and flexible timber construction, sets a new benchmark for design excellence in Victoria. This project demonstrates how meaningful design can impact a community’s sense of place.

The design team was tasked with creating a cultural heritage centre in a heritage registered location with no artefacts other than the location itself. Our response was to make the building and the landscape as much a part of the interpretation as the exhibition. The high visitation numbers have underscored not only its success as a significant cultural and educational destination, but the enduring public interest in the Kelly story.

The complex geometry of the architectural concept presented significant challenges, requiring an innovative design response. Content Studio worked closely with Webb Consult and structural steel designers, PlanIT design group, to resolve the building’s three different pitches, a small helix above a medium helix above a large helix.

The solution was to create these as arc members fitted to the helix geometry with the slight twist transition change occurring at each wall frame junction. The geometry of the structural frame was carefully selected so that the spiral elements were the only curved members in the wall frame. The structure is integrated into the architecture to the point that they are inseparable. The folds of the architecture provide the geometric stiffness required to support the extremely light weight structural steelwork.

Similarly, the cladding system was developed to eliminate the need for curved cladding. For efficiency of construction, the steel frame was broken up into transportable wall panels with relatively simple bolted connections between each wall panel. The frame and roof went up in under a week. The use of steel in small sections led to a complex but relatively light frame minimising tonnage.

Between November 2023 and April 2024 the Hub welcomed over 35,377 visitors, underscoring its success as a significant cultural and educational destination and the enduring public interest in the Kelly story. The Hub has become a catalyst for regional tourism, demonstrating the potential of cultural heritage sites to drive economic prosperity.

The Hub’s reach extends beyond individual visitors, serving as a vibrant educational resource for the broader community. It has become an educational destination for school groups, some of which hail from as far as Sydney and Melbourne. The Hub provides a dynamic learning environment for students, allowing them to explore the nuances of Ned Kelly’s story and its significance to Australian history. Through interactive exhibits and storytelling techniques, students gain a deeper understanding of historical events, critical thinking, and the value of cultural heritage.

Regular visits from local retirement and nursing homes, including groups from as far as Albury, Beechworth, Benalla, and Rutherglen, have become a fortnightly highlight, demonstrating the Hub’s accessibility and relevance to a diverse audience. These visits offer senior community members an opportunity to engage with the cultural narrative of their region, enriching their social experience and fostering a sense of connection and belonging.

The project also enhances Victoria’s reputation as the capital of innovative design and creative culture. The project sets a new standard for impactful architectural projects in Australia and internationally.

The Ned Kelly Discovery Hub demonstrates its commitment to environmental responsibility through a series of impactful initiatives that enhance local biodiversity and integrate sustainable practices into the facility’s operations. The overall approach demonstrates a holistic commitment to environmental responsibility, aligning with cultural preservation and community values.

The team prioritised the use of materials from biological sources and minimised the use of technical materials. The charred hardwood timber cladding in the façade is an example of this. The carbon black coat protects the wood from rot, pests, and decay, reducing the need for chemical additives and coatings. It’s an innovative low-maintenance solution that is aesthetically striking. The rubber flooring used in the interpretive centre, made from 85% recycled content, is fully recyclable.

Webb Consult’s approach to the design of the lightweight steel frame reduced material tonnage and minimized the need for massed concrete. The efficient use of carbon intense material ensured that the environmental impact was minimized from the outset.

The integrated landscape design around the Hub uses indigenous vegetation, which reduces its water usage and enhances the ecological balance of the area. The native plantings provide vital habitats for local wildlife such as insects and skinks, aiding in biodiversity conservation.

The 7-year power purchasing agreement ensures that all electricity used is 100% renewable energy from Victorian wind farms, markedly reducing the Hub’s carbon footprint.