Winchelsea Clock + Block
Robust public amenities that give travellers a moment of respite and a fresh view over the Barwon River.
When the widening of the Princes Freeway meant Winchelsea’s old public toilets had to go, we worked with VicRoads and Surf Coast Shire to design their replacement, along with alterations to the town’s information centre and clock tower. Set in a riverside park in the centre of town, the result is a simple, robust building that gives anyone passing through a sheltered place to stop and take in the view.
Completion
October 2013
Services
Architecture, Interior Design
Client
VicRoads and Surf Coast Shire
Location
Winchelsea, VIC
A Better Kind of Roadside Stop
The brief was to replace the old amenities in a new location. VicRoads, who drove the location and budget, wanted infrastructure that added to the public realm rather than pure functional amenity, on a high-profile site beside the freeway. Surf Coast Shire led the needs brief, and we brought both perspectives together.
Tough but Welcoming
Public amenities need to stand up to vandalism, but we didn’t want a building that felt cold or defensive. The challenge was to create something robust and low maintenance that still offered comfort and a real sense of place, on one of the most visible sites in town.
Bringing the Park In
Working with both stakeholders to settle the new location, we saw the chance to set the amenities within the riverside park and make the building a “shelter with a view” for everyone, not just those using the toilets. Winchelsea’s semi-rural setting led us to a simple shed form, with a single-pitched roof that twists along its length.
Respite on the Road
An open walkthrough between the male and female amenities frames the Barwon River valley from a new, elevated perspective. Bricks reclaimed from the old toilet block help the building age in place with minimal maintenance. It’s a subtle but memorable building that gives travellers a genuine moment of respite on their road trip.