Located at 110-122 Unity Drive, Mount Duneed, the Pao Banyul Community Hub provides a supportive, welcoming, and accessible connection point for the Greater Geelong community. The building receives its name, meaning “grassy hill”, from Wadawurrung language.

Visitors are greeted with a timber batten lined canopy entrance. The lightweight polycarbonate cladding creates an eye-catching exterior. Meanwhile, the building is secured and supported by screw pile foundations, structural steel, timber all and roof framing.

The project incorporates an array of astonishing environmentally sustainable solutions. Namely, electric vehicle charging ports; 60kW roof solar panels; sitewide irrigation of garden beds – utilising collected rainwater and recycled water; and, the installation of a building management system, energy system to monitor the usage of water, power, and gas. These pioneering innovations contribute towards an upcoming application for 5-star Green Star rating.

The project finished strong despite early challenges with wet weather, steel design and fabrication delays, and issues with window supply and installation. The project team worked hard to overcome these issues through stakeholder consultation, re-designing the sub-contractor program and tight financial control. With the Poa Banyul Community Hub, Fairbrother proudly delivered a single-level, cutting-edge construction project that benefits the City of Greater Geelong