Envisioned as a space where 125 million years of the region's rich paleo-history and cultural heritage could be celebrated and showcased, the Cultural Discovery Centre is positioned centrally for both visibility and access. Nestled into the heart of Inverloch beside Rainbow Park and the Glade, it is important that the building could become a significant civic anchor for the Bass Coast and the Dinosaur Trail.

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape it sits within, the design acknowledges the earthbound nature of palaeontology through a grounded connection. The combined use of rammed earth enveloped by landscape berms speaks to the layers of time and place inherent in the site, and also in both the processes of discovery and excavation that the centre highlights. Within, an 'earthen inner realm' is proposed to function as a public street, and as a connecting thread between the town and the adjacent parks – creating a new public space for Inverloch.

The proposal creates a dramatic atrium that will act as a dynamic gathering hub, linking the various spaces and levels and animating the centre through a celebration of science, art, culture, and community. The diverse range of exhibition spaces will offer interpretive and interactive experiences, sharing the compelling narratives and culture that define this unique region and the treasures of the Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail.

Bass Coast Dinosaurs