The Granville Centre is Cumberland Council’s largest facility and has been designed to be a vibrant meeting place of community activity. The new building features our range of DesignerPly ceiling and wall linings.⁠ Printed DesignerPly featuring native Australian plants adorn the hallway ceilings while Clear Powder Coated DesignerPly line the walls of the library, gallery, community hall and café, creating a calm and natural feel.⁠
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Architect: dwp
Photographer: Rodrigo Vargas Photography

Drawing inspiration from the social and cultural spaces of the wider community, The Granville Centre is a statement of inclusivity and egalitarianism in Sydney’s West. When the Cumberland City Council commissioned the redevelopment of The Granville Community Centre the vision was to create a hub that embraced diversity and promote connection, comfort, mentorship and growth. Working in close collaboration with dwp architects, the design embossed a range of community and civic spaces with a large community hall, café, art gallery, library and several multi-purpose spaces that offer complete flexibility to be transformed into co-working spaces, meeting rooms and workshop facilities. With a focus on creating a myriad of dynamic spaces, Granville Community Centre forms a sense of togetherness that welcomes residents of all ages.

Working in close consultation with Cumberland City Council, it was essential that dwp architects selected materials that would reflect the centre’s welcoming ethos yet were versatile, durable and carry an element of sustainability in an approach of developing an eco-conscious design. With a series of studies and stakeholder input, deep consideration was taken in ensuring interior materials were future-orientated and created an inviting effect while paying tribute to external natural elements for a deeper sense of connection. It was here that ForestOne provided a solution of utilising the renewable resource of DesignerPly to grace the interior walls throughout the library, art gallery and community hall to create a calm and natural feel. While, for an impactful entrance, the opening hall welcomes guests with Printed DesignerPly that delicately lines the ceiling.

Printed DesignerPly | From Beautiful to Extraordinary
The lightweight characteristics of DesignerPly make it the perfect option for ceiling design. For dwp architects applying DesignerPly to not just the interior walls of The Granville Centre but also the ceiling was a way to unite all spaces together through the atrial hallway showcasing the key elements of connectedness and community through sustainable materials.

dwp architects then utilised DesignerPly’s lightness and versatility to create a series of stunning artworks that were printed onto panels, elevating each design from beautiful to extraordinary. Channelling the contours, granular lines and natural tones of ply, Printed DesignerPly beautifully blends together hand-crafted designs with its natural and raw markings to create truly unique pieces of art for the community to enjoy.

Stepping into The Granville Centre residents and guests are greeted with an alluring ceiling that features a public artwork commissioned by Darug artists of Leanne Watson, Leanne Tobin and Shay Tobin, printed onto the DesignerPly panels. The panels move through the foyer and represent six seasons within aboriginal culture featuring native Australian plants. The nature-inspired themes give the sense of being connected to the calming qualities of the world outside while also acknowledging first-nation traditions to express an ultimate gesture of welcomeness and encourage visitors to explore, learn and discover.

DesignerPly Clear Powder Coated | Designed with Wellbeing in Mind
Igniting a sense of belonging with its calm and warm textures, DesignerPly stands as a main feature throughout The Granville Centre, giving fluid movement to the overall design. Lining the walls of several spaces of the art gallery, library, cafe and community hall, DesignerPly gives a clear and logical arrangement of space and takes the community on a journey through the building to encourage interaction and wellbeing.

As a natural palette, DesignerPly brings with it an organic expression and gives permission to create flexible spaces that are interesting, interactive and comfortable. The application of DesignerPly within the art gallery interior walls provides a neutral canvas and allows local artworks to stand as the focal point, yet brings a humble ambience with its raw beauty and displayable knots. While, for the library it was essential that incorporated materials provided a neutral ambience to support a space that is dedicated to learning, study and growth and the use of DesignerPly beautifully creates this experience. The most distinctive application of DesignerPly however, is within the upper walls of the opening hall. Revealing the diversity of this sustainable material, dwp architects created a rhythmic pattern with a series of rectangular DesignerPly panels which brings a contemporary and modern layer to the overall design. The series of panels exhibits strong linear features as they contrast against a black backing, emphasising the beauty of DesignerPly.

To magnify the elegance of DesignerPly’s natural features a clear powder coat was applied to all panels throughout The Granville Centre. The selection of clear powder coating enhances the tones and grain markings of Hoop Pine and not only provides a smooth finish, but also equips DesignerPly panels with an added layer of protection. This was an essential requirement for dwp architects when selecting interior materials to ensure all elements would be able to provide longevity for a bustling and busy community hub. As a UV-cured coating, dwp could be confident with Powder Coated DesignerPly to provide superior durability and deliver excellent surface quality for this vibrant meeting place of community activity.