Mooloolaba is a place of natural riches with a long history stretching back into the dreaming. The natural assets that continue to attract people to Mooloolaba now require functional systems of transport and movement that facilitate improved and successful community use. This carpark forms a significant part of the Council driven, Mooloolaba placemaking strategy. The architectural language is purposefully simple for such a large structure. An efficient structural base, carefully considered in functional utility, is enveloped by textured façade treatments that are evocative of the Mooloolaba experience and its history, without direct or distinct references. The façade design, in combination with other cultural references provides a link to place that is not evident on the bulk of the existing built forms in Mooloolaba. The screen façade is conceived as a panelised system as an innovative approach that simplified construction on a restricted site, combining impact resistance elements, providing visual attenuation, achieving ventilation performance, restricting light pollution whilst creating a landmark identifiable cultural reference – in a restricted palette of long term low maintenance materials. The building sits comfortably within the predominantly white canvas of the surrounding larger buildings, enabling the simple, yet elegant form to provide sensory relief from a visually confused streetscape. Although functionally a car park, this building provides a visually restrained and welcoming addition to the diverse built environment.

Photography: Studio Next