Following recommendations by the Royal Commission into Family Violence in 2016 to reduce its frequency and impact, improve support for survivors, and coordinate community and government services, Billard Leece Partnership was commissioned to design and deliver four new courts promoting family safety for communities across Victoria.
The four urban and regional sites include Ballarat, Moorabbin, Frankston, and Heidelberg.
Court Services Victoria’s Specialist Family Violence Courts are part of the first tranche of Specialist Family Violence Court facilities, which has introduced a new space typology for the Victorian judicial system that integrates major physical infrastructure and operational changes.
The existing arrangement where both parties shared the same physical space at entry points to the building, in courtrooms, and waiting areas led to considerable stress and increased risk to physical and emotional safety.
Physical and visual separation of the parties was a key requirement of the project, as was creating an environment that felt more welcoming and comfortable than a typical court building.
The Billard Leece Partnership team consulted widely with court staff including registrars, magistrates, specialist court support staff, and associated external agencies.
We also undertook community consultations with various groups advocating for survivors of family violence, to understand the needs of those attending court.
The project brief was developed from these consultations and following the Royal Commission recommendations.
A key requirement was to match the consolidated brief back to each individual site.
All sites had unique challenges including how they were placed within the existing built environment, shared circulation routes, and specific and unique site restrictions.
New features included an additional entry to the court building, counters and staff offices, separated and secure waiting areas, interview rooms, tea-point, amenities, and access into the courtroom through separate doors.
Interview rooms and court rooms were configured with modern technology to facilitate video conferencing and remote appearances for witnesses who prefer not to appear physically in the courtroom.
Warm natural timber panels create separation and privacy between walkways and various seating areas, and carve out safe play-zones for children while parents supervise.
Soft textures, greenery, and a variety of seating options empower visitors with choice and reduces stress to create a secure, family friendly environment.
Key Products Used
Key products used include, but are not limited to:
Walls and cladding
- Ceiling and Wall Paint – Dulux
- Feature Ceiling – Autex
- Acoustic Wall Panels – InStyle Ecousitc
Lighting
Sanitary Fixtures
Furniture
Workspace
Project Details
Completion Date – 2020
Building Levels – 2
Project Team
Client
Court Services Victoria
The establishment of Court Services Victoria on 1 July 2014 heralded a new era of independence for Victoria’s courts. From that day, judicial services became independent of the executive arm of government and Victoria’s courts and tribunals became accountable directly to parliament.
Architecture
Billard Leece Partnership
BLP are a group of dynamic architects, interior designers, and urban designers based in Melbourne and Sydney, working Australia-wide and internationally across all sectors.
They have a proven track record of designing and delivering complex projects.
BLP develop a collaborative and comprehensive design approach unique to each client and project and aspire to produce innovative architecture.
They create environments tailored to suit their clients’ expectations which provide enjoyment to the people who inhabit them.
Town Planning
Urbis
Urbis has one simple goal – to shape the cities and communities of Australia for a better future. It’s a creative community of practice experts, working collaboratively to deliver fresh thinking and independent advice and guidance – all backed up by real, evidence-based solutions.
Structural and Civil Engineering
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec (WGA) is a multi-disciplinary, award-winning engineering and project management team with an ethos based on developing long-term collaborative client relationships, and delivering innovative, buildable and economical solutions.
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Waterman AHW
Waterman Group is a multidisciplinary consultancy providing sustainable solutions to meet the planning, engineering design and project delivery needs of the property, infrastructure, environment and energy markets.
Construction
Devco Project and Construction Management (Heidelberg)
Established in 1988, by Romando Nascarella and Paul Launech, Devco Project & Construction Management continues to build an enviable track record into its fourth decade of operation.
Operating within the metropolitan and greater metropolitan areas Devco has delivered many iconic community projects across the Melbourne landscape for a range of clients and award winning architects.
Lloyd Group (Frankston)
Lloyd Group is an efficient, well managed and fully resourced construction company with a consistent track record of delivering high quality results. With a team of 80 dedicated staff, they can undertake any project up to $40m in value in the education, commercial, local and state government, health and aged care, hospitality and community markets.
Their projects can be delivered via early contractor involvement, design and construct, managing contractor, and traditional construction methods of procurement.
SJ Weir (Ballarat)
Sydney John Weir established S.J. Weir in Ballarat in 1914. Ballarat-based, the firm has over 100 continuous years of commercial building.
And current S. J. Weir project managers have over 85 years hands on project management experience.
Arete (Moorabbin)
arete Australia is a specialist division of Kane Constructions that focuses on interiors, fitout, and refurbishments across commercial office and base building, health and aged care, education (tertiary, secondary, primary), government, hotel and hospitality and retail sectors.
They operate throughout the east coast of Australia from offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney.
Security and AV Engineering
IPP Consulting
IPP Consulting is a technology consulting firm based in Melbourne, Australia. IPP was founded in 1986, and assists clients with information technology and security.
Building Certification
Approval Systems
Approval Systems delivers of statutory and consulting services to the design and construction industry.
Wayfinding
Wing ID
Tony Wing is the principal at Wing ID. View his LinkedIn profile.
Photography
Emily Bartlett
Emily s a Melbourne-based commercial photographer, specialising in architecture and interiors.
www.emilybartlettphotography.com
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2021 Billard Leece Partnership. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2021 Emily Bartlett. All Rights Reserved.
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