Wellspring Anglican Church

Overview
The Wellspring Anglican Church is a community project that seeks to reconcile the architectural requirements of 21st century church ministry. This has required an architectural response that is reflective of the contemporary church’s engagement with its community while preserving and reinvigorating past and continuing traditions.

A highly consultative design and approvals process, considered adaptive re-use and sensitive intervention has enabled the growing church to continue operating in the location it has occupied for nearly 100 years, maintaining a significant cultural and community benefit.

The new building is a purposeful departure from the formal architectural qualities of the existing heritage buildings, which are visually heavy, inwardly focused and disconnected from each other.

The new building rests in the spaces between the existing, linking all buildings under one light-filled canopy with an openness and transparency in keeping with the churches contemporary ethos. The form, scale and massing is intentionally subservient in relation to the existing buildings. It provides a range of community facilities including meeting and activity spaces, offices, commercial food premises and a new 270 seat auditorium to compliment the historic chapel. Spaces have been crafted to serve the users and their place in a contemporary manner while creating harmony with the significant heritage values of the existing buildings.

Year Completed
2012


Photography
1+2 Architecture (1) Ray Joyce (2 + 3)


Awards
2013 RAIA TAS - Public Building Award
2013 RAIA TAS - Heritage Award
2013 Australian Property Institute VIC / TAS - Heritage Building Award
2014 RAIA TAS - Henry Hunter Triennial Prize


Key Collaborators
Builder | Bennett Construction
Landscape Architecture | Inspiring Place + Playstreet
Quantity Surveyor | WT Partnership
Town Planner | IreneINC
ESD Consultant | RED Sustainability Consultants
Building Surveyor | Lee Tyers Building Surveyors
Structural / Civil / Hydraulic Engineering | Aldanmark Consulting Engineers
Mechanical Engineer | Ian Loney
Electrical Engineer | ECOS Consulting Engineers & Designers
Fire Engineer | SEMF
Acoustic Engineer | NVC
Art & Graphics | Thomas Creative