Jannawi Pavilion
Macquarie University
Project description
The Jannawi Pavilion at Macquarie University’s North Ryde campus is an attractive and functional gathering place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and visitors. The outdoor area features native landscaping and is large enough to host formal or informal gatherings but small enough to ensure a sense of togetherness and community.
Named Jannawi (the J is pronounced as a Y), it means ‘for me, for you’ in Darug language and the pavilion’s purpose, according to Aunty Julie Janson of the Burruberongal clan of the Darug nation in her Welcome to Country address is: “A symbol of Macquarie University’s commitment to restorative justice and a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and continued custodianship of this country. It is a clarion call to recognise our belonging to this land and the University’s symbol of recognition.”
The curved steel and concrete pavilion sits atop an existing embankment creating a vantage point to capture views to the north west.
The landscape incorporates existing features of relocated flag poles and a reconciliation sculpture. Massed native plantings including a Bush Tucker Grove soften the sandstone log terraces. Informal seating areas for small groups are also nestled into the base of the embankment.
Construction methodology
The circular concrete slab sits upon ten bored concrete piers. The reinforced concrete slab is 400mm thick to support the 23 structural steel columns. A 32m diameter circular structural steel ring was welded together on site, craned into position and is connected to the columns. 13m clear span Glulam beams support the Everbrite polycarbonate panel roof panel that is trafficable and fire resistant.
Construction / design difficulties
The building’s circular shape and being situated on an embankment definitely created challenges for set out. Additional surveying and meetings were held to ensure correct diameter and heights were achieved.
The structural steel ring was made from two 380pfc rolled in opposing directions and continuously welded to form an RHS. They were painted off site with Dulux epoxy paint system and transported after hours in three sections as they were so large. They were butt welded together on site, welds painted with epoxy and craned into position.
Outcome
The project creates a very special architectural outdoor space for its users with many one-off design elements working together.
Buildster was required was to offer value engineering in order to reduce costs by over 10% in the preconstruction phase.
Complex structural shop drawings and 3D modelling were required to enable the structural steel to be fabricated offsite and welded / bolted together on site in a quick turnaround. These structural shop drawings needed to be co-ordinated precisely with the suspended circular concrete slab which actually has two different radii. The 32m diameter steel ring had a low tolerance of 10mm so set was critical.
The site is surrounded by a live university environment, so noise and disruption needed to be co-ordinated with the University. All deliveries were via the University roads and needed traffic control and University approval.
All excavated material was recycled at a local site requiring fill. We are proud that no accidents or injuries occurred during the works.
The structure was infilled with powder coated laser cut aluminium screens and stencilcrete artwork. An existing symbolic monument was carefully reconstructed and reinstated in a new location and surrounded by edible landscaping.
C-Bus lighting was installed so that the area lights up majestically as the sun sets in the west.
The end user now has a beautiful robust outdoor area adjacent to their offices for gatherings of up 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and visitors.
We are proud of no lost time injuries nor any notifiable incidents on this project.
Handover – May 2019
Jannawi features floor artwork, Circles of Fresh Water created by Darug woman and Macquarie University Alumni, Professor Liz Cameron. It’s a representation of Darug fresh water surrounding the Parramatta area that gives life, nurtures and nourishes our lands. Also referencing the importance of water, Dr Leanne Holt of the University designed the artwork in the metal wall panels and says it represents a journey of community and the strength in our collective through gathering, as well as the connection of this country to waterways that provide natural sustenance in maintaining the wellbeing of the land and, in turn, us.
