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Sunshine Coast City Hall: Redefining acoustics in the 'City Hall of tomorrow'

Architect: Cottee Parker Architects

Acoustic Engineer: ARUP

Categories: Community

Photographer: Williem-Dirk du Toit

Specification Manager: Vaughan Penny

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Council Chambers utilise Groove V1 in Savoye and Pavilion

Sunshine Coast City Hall is a new era for civic spaces


Project overview

Sunshine Coast City Hall, designed by Cottee Parker Architects, is a landmark development that reflects the region’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community connection. Situated in the heart of the Maroochydore CBD, this modern civic building challenges the traditional notion of a ‘town hall’ serving both as an administrative hub, public gathering space and workplace to create the ‘City Hall of Tomorrow’. Winning a multitude of social and community infrastructure awards nationally, Sunshine Coast City Hall blends cutting-edge design with a focus on environmental responsibility, the building sets a new benchmark for civic architecture during a period of urban revitalisation on the Sunshine Coast.

 

Honouring the qualities of the landscape and climatic environments that define the Sunshine Coast Region, City Hall’s iconic form is inspired by place. The region spans over 2,200 square kilometres and is renowned for its natural assets: beaches, mountains, and hinterland rainforests. The design seeks to strengthen a connection to country and the surrounding landscape by creating experiential journeys through the space. Sweeping interior forms reference the passage of waterways and erosion of land masses, while organic and natural materials reference the coastal environment.

 

The building features a striking facade with a blend of glass and timber, offering a sense of transparency and openness as it wraps around its prominent corner location. Interior spaces are light-filled and spacious, with flexible working environments and public areas designed to foster collaboration and community engagement.

Groove V1 in Pavilion curves around the upper ceiling in the Council Chambers

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Pillars throughout the foyer are covered in Groove V1 in Savoye

The challenge

 

Sunshine Coast City Hall is home to a range of people on any given day, from the public to employees, clients, and community members. The building’s varied functions presented a unique acoustic challenge in creating spaces that cater to collaboration, quiet reflection, and civic engagement while ensuring all environments meet their respective acoustic needs.

 

At the heart of the building is the oval-shaped Council Chamber, with its impressive double-volume amphitheatre design, the chamber needed a robust acoustic solution that allowed for debate but maintained privacy. Other floors ranged from intimate meeting spaces, offices, collaborative zones, community spaces, and the foyer, requiring bespoke acoustic solutions tailored to their unique purposes. The architectural vision for these workspaces was to create comfortable microclimates, vibrant social hubs, and functional meeting zones.

 

As Dee Passenger, Principal at Cottee Parker Architects explained, “For City Hall, our design had to balance democratic transparency and formality, whilst expanding on the design narrative of a warm and light filled sculptural space.”

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A wide shot of Groove V1 in Pavilion

Council chambers feature Groove V1 in Pavilion and Savoye wrapping interior curves

Cube™ in Flatiron is installed amongst meeting room walls

Cube™ 12 mm in Flatiron installed on meeting room walls

Open plan workstations are separated by Vicinity™ Workstation Screens in Petronas

Front mount Vicinity™ Workstation Screens in Petronas

Groove V1 in Pavilion creates acoustic privacy around workstations

Groove V1 in Pavilion curves around workstations creating privacy

Prominent corner shot of the external façade.

External façade of Sunshine Coast City Hall.

Additional info


The Solution

Detail shot of Groove V1

The Autex Acoustics® team worked closely with Cottee Parker Architects to understand the design intent and functional needs of each space, crafting solutions that enhanced both the aesthetics and usability of the building. 12 mm Cube™ panels in Savoye, Petronas, Flatiron, and Pavillion were strategically integrated into meeting rooms, offices and as workstation screens creating privacy within a vibrant, bustling environment.

 

In areas like the foyer and Council Chambers, that are civic in scale, yet welcoming in feel, Groove V1 in Savoye was incorporated to create an acoustically inviting atmosphere and visually interesting interior. The grooved design allows the panels to bend seamlessly around structural poles, following interior curves in a batten-like rhythm and adding to the tactile, layered aesthetic.

 

Sunshine Coast City Hall is a remarkable example of how modern architecture can embrace sustainability, functionality, and community spirit. It sets a new paradigm for government workplaces, and results in a building that not only meets the region’s administrative needs but also provides a welcoming and acoustically comfortable space for the community.

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Project Team

It's all about people

Vaughan Penny

State Specification Manager - QLD & NT

Cottee Parker

Architect

ARUP

Acoustic Engineer

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