Seaside Museum, pdt architects

A large sand island located in the north of Queensland’s picturesque Moreton Bay, Bribie Island is a beachside sanctuary, quietly situated away from the hustle and bustle of mainland life. Abundantly populated with native animals and aquatic life, the island serves as one of the country’s best kept secrets. A perfect oasis that allows visitors to fall in love with the natural beauty of the area, the Moreton Bay Regional Council was seeking to design a museum that would mark a new era in tourism for Bribie Island, whilst benefitting the local community and local businesses. The result is the striking award-winning Seaside Museum, Bribie Island, designed by pdt architects.

With the State Government contributing $1 million of the project cost, pdt designed a museum that is functional, educational and accessible, whilst visually connecting to the surrounding park, sea and beach. The practice consulted closely with the close-knit Bribie Island community to ensure that the resulting construction suited the essence of the island.

Composed as a mix of simple finishes, muted shades and natural timber, the museum was designed to unite built form and the environment. The materials selected reflect the impenetrable relationship of the island to the natural environment, and also provide long-term energy efficiency and cost benefits. These elements involve the inclusion of hardwood timber on floors as a durability measure, due to the impact of high pedestrian traffic, and a combination of tallowwood and aluminium cladding on walls. Aluminium finishes and hot dipped galvanised steel were used to reduce rust from the sea air.

Central to the design concept was the connection of the built form to the environment. To achieve this fusion, the architects strategically positioned the building to run north to south, with the front overlooking the water and the beach, and the end of the building overlooking a natural arbour of trees. The museum acts as a prominent diagonal bulkhead positioned for sweeping views across the sea, beach and park. These views can be enjoyed by visitors on a seating platform along the deck.

Further, the inclusion of timber slats, high and low positioned windows and glass walls create a sense of transparency, space and light and a strong connection to the site. The use of subtle earthy colours and materials, such as natural timbers, serves to create the feel of ‘bringing the outside in’, reinforcing the connection of the museum to Bribie Island’s agrarian culture. Both low and high level windows overlook the landscape and usually brilliant blue sky, creating a light and airy space. Tinted solar glass prevents the fading of exhibits, and reduces internal heat, which the overhanging roof also contributes to, as well as provides suitable shading. From a practical standpoint, pdt undertook the responsibility of refurbishing and extending the toilet block at the adjacent park to the museum’s location.

Pdt was inspired to incorporate in their design a customised cabinet with extra floor support, reinforced shelving and fume security sensors to display more than 300 fish species preserved in glass jars, reflecting the plethora of sealife native to the island’s waters. An internal pedestrian path takes visitors along a journey of discovery around the building, visiting the permanent exhibition on explorer Matthew Flinders, artist Ian Fairweather and the area’s aquatic life. The travelling show, Summers Past, is currently on display at the museum, and is a photographic journey through Australia’s pre-screen summer lifestyle of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

Simple fittings and finishes serve to enhance rather than detract from the exhibitions. White boxes within a blackand- white environment define areas, also guiding visitors throughout the building, and play with their perceptions of scale and depth.

All of these clever touches from pdt architects have contributed to the creation of an appealing tourism destination and an educational and recreation hub for the local community, sure to enhance any visitor’s experience of Bribie Island. +

PHOTOGRAPHY Scott Burrows

1. The Seaside Museum, Bribie Island, is functional, educational and accessible, whilst also closely linking to the surrounding park, sea and beach. 2. The front of the museum overlooks a natural arbour of trees, connecting the built form to Bribie Island’s environment. 3. The understated interior reflects a fresh and contemporary aesthetic. 4. Simple fittings and finishes serve to enhance exhibitions. 5. The museum makes no mistake about capturing views of its stunning location