Established in 1984 in historic Anzac Hall Royal Park, Urban Camp Royal Park co-operative business venture provides low cost accommodation and activity space for school, community and sporting groups visiting Melbourne.

Urban Camp is run by a co-operative of more than 500 community groups.

Architects Willams Boag redeveloped the site including renovating the existing historic hall which is heritage listed and also designed an adjacent environmentally-sensitive development of office, meeting rooms and a two storey dormitory wing.

Project architect John Clark sought a sustainable design solution for this 'series of sheds' that addressed the shortcomings of the existing building, including its lack of north-facing windows.

"We sited the new two-storey dormitory wing to the north of the existing building, separated by an enclosed courtyard. The majority of bedrooms were orientated to the north to maximise the passive solar design principles for the accommodation wing," he said.

Durable materials with minimal maintenance requirements were selected both internally and externally including wall cladding made from COLORBOND® steel in the colour Slate Grey.

The new development features roofing made from ZINCALUME® steel. Developed by BHP Steel for Australian conditions, COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel provided a lightweight, durable and cost effective solution.

Shifting of the upper floor plate of the two storey dormitory wing to the north over the ground floor achieved protection for the north windows of this building from the high altitude summer sun. It permits the lower angle warming winter sun to enter through the windows and into the dormitories generally.

Excavation of the land to the immediate north of the existing building allowed the two-storey dormitory wing to be nestled into the landscape so as not to overwhelm the heritage building.

The wing has permanent openings to achieve ongoing natural through-ventilation, as well as large sections of louvred windows on the elevations of the two-storey wing facing the courtyard to further maximise natural cross-ventilation of the building.

Urban Camp Royal Park operates on a not-for-profit basis, using any money raised to improve the camp facilities and the level of service it offers.

For more information call
John Clark
Williams Boag
Ph: (03)8627 6000
Fax: (03) 8627 6060