degenhartSHEDD
Since 1988, the projects completed through our award-winning architectural practice, degenhartSHEDD (formerly DESIGN FORUM architects), have made a distinctive and distinguished mark on the South East Queensland region. We specialise in quality innovative and sustainable urban, project and architectural design, as well as the design management of estates through their covenants. Complemented by a talented team and numerous professional and industry colleagues, we are capable of delivering even the most challenging desired outcomes for any project requiring our expertise. In the pursuit of these quality outcomes, we have received many professional and industry awards from 1988 to today.
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Projects:
Varsity Lakes Community Limited Sports House
Christine Avenue, Varsity Lakes Qld, 2011
Sports House makes a contribution to the public realm on a philosophical, physical and even financial level, as it is a community project of the non-for-profit organisation, Varsity Lakes Community Limited. Developed by Lend Lease for the Gold Coast City Council, it is now rented by VLCL for a dollar per year, providing a source of income to help foster the social capital of this emerging community. As architects, our contributions were the culminating act consolidating nearly a decade of liaising with community groups and benefactors in order to define local club requirements and procure funding. However, the architect too partook in that journey, as an ever-decreasing budget was the main challenge of Sports House, though there were many others. Not only was the site predominantly below flood level, but the fall in the ground plane mandated a two storey structure to the street edge–but one that was both accessible and lift-free. Luckily, the site itself offered the solution to this dilemma, allowing a low-gradient walkway to form the link from waterside concourse to street sidewalk.
Pobblebonk Place, The Ecovillage
The EcoVillage, Currumbin Valley, Qld, 2010
This project has been an exercise in responding to its context and neighbourhood, which is something of a pleasure when that neighbourhood is the beautiful Valley Terraces at The award-wining Ecovillage. As one comes across the delightful single-lane bridge linking the Creek Flat Hamlets to the Valley Terrace Hamlets, this house is presented to your view, perched like a bird with outstretched wings on the side of a gentle hill, with a magnificent backdrop of native forest behind. As is generally the case at The Ecovillage, houses present themselves fully to the street, as fencing is only allowed in very limited areas to screen utility courts or as a very low structure to provide definition to external areas. This house is no exception to that rule, and the upward view of the expansive north decks of the house on the one side delight the gaze of the general visitor, while the creative expression of the garage treats the intimate guest to something quite special on arrival. For further information, please refer “THE OWNER BUILDER” magazine, issue 155, dated October/November 2009, as well as our website: www.degenhartSHEDD.com.au.
Australian Industry Trade College
Scottsdale Drive, Robina Qld, 2011
The Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) is the culmination of the vision of a few inspired industry leaders that challenged the conventional notion of secondary school education. In 2005, the concept of a trade-oriented high school for the Gold Coast was put on the political agenda was finally realised this year thanks to a $10 million Commonwealth grant secured by a determined Board of Directors and their support team of educators, builders and industry professionals. Due to their efforts, practically minded young people now have a genuine education–and indeed lifestyle—alternative. According to the visionary and current Principal of the AITC, the creation of their college campus with a “smart, practical and professional industry flavor” was always important to the education concept and was expertly delivered by City Planners, degenhartSHEDD, Franklins & Associates and Alder Constructions, with the help of his in-house team and the guidance of the Board, chaired by Dennis Beck. With the college taking on their first student cohort in 2008 and opening the new Robina campus in March of 2011, they are well positioned to respond with gusto to the need for more and better-quality tradespersons in a growing industry sector across Australia.
