The Eden Welcome Centre is a maritime, cruise and tourist facility that heralds a new era for tourism in Eden and the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

The structure and cladding to the building are made from Australian hardwoods as a celebration of the local timber industry, and heritage interpretation, a tribute to Eden’s maritime and Aboriginal history. The building form references the wharf side buildings of the maritime fishing industry emblematic of Eden’s traditional vernacular architecture, while the function of the building welcomes visitors to the town and market from the expanding cruise industry.

The contractor scoured the country for recycled timbers for the structure and cladding. All timbers used were from demolished heritage buildings and redundant wharfing structures – and the main timber columns and beams are over 100 years old and in their third building life. The timbers were all carefully crafted using traditional hand building techniques.

The building design employs a modular system to allow for easy construction and future growth in the expansion of developments along the waterfront to redevelop Snug Cove. This plan is a linear two-storey rectangular building running parallel to the waterfront.

Adjacent to the waterfront is a tall skillion roof which creates a verandah over the markets to celebrate this activity forming a sheltered space which shades and cools the occupants through passive ventilation. The roof accommodates photovoltaic panels, taking advantage of the northerly orientation, while also housing windows for light to the depth of the market, and views from the first floor balcony and offices.

Photography by John Gollings

Dissections
Furniture: DesignByThem. Stylecraft, Steelcase, Aspect Furniture. Fittings & Fixtures: Brodware.