Military bases and installations have a heightened community relevance with the escalation of global tensions. Australia’s Top End has a strong military presence and Townsville’s Lavarack army base has a high public profile. Situated at the foot of Mt. Stuart to the city’s south, Lavarack Barracks is home to some 3500 service-men and women.

The barracks’ success in the 2002 RAIA national awards in winning a Robin Boyd award for housing, is a surprise for a number of reason: It is one of the few times a multiple housing entry has won the coveted prize; the awards entry was initially rejected; and not least, the army is hardly renowned as a buyer of architecture. With a single army Black Hawk helicopter costing around $18 million, budgets for stylish design are difficult to find.

Take two of Australia’s top architectural firm’s working in the Top End and the results are a military makeover of some note. Army bases can be little more than tent cities or, on a slightly more permanent basis, a regimented garrison of ugly shack. Lavarack signals an infinitely more civilised ethos.

Many of the lessons learned from years of working in the tropics inform the solution of project architects Troppo and Bligh Voller Nield (BVN). Covering some 20 hectares, the project encompasses 1,004 units and sets a lofty new standard for military and environmental architecture.

Designed as a series of communities in three distinct precincts of development, the project provides a green focus that incorporates lush landscaping and linked recreation and dining facilities.

This is a conspicuous swing in army culture to create facilities in line with community standards. Project architect Phil Tait of BVN discusses some of the tactics the architectural team employed in marshalling their talents and to win over their client:

Was there a clearly defined chain of command between Bligh Voller Nield and Troppo, or was it all for one and one for all?

I would like to think that we developed a fluid relationship… pun intended! We formed the 9th/18 Mobile Architectural Squadron to promote discussion, brainstorming and sketching sessions over dinners. Our motto was ‘remember to keep the main thing the main thing’! In this case that included working under a project management regime that was very much Project Management and QS-led design-and-construct.

What is Lavarack’s major achievement? Any disappointments?

Primarily it is the acceptance of the occupants. They will always tell you when you have it right, there is great satisfaction in that aspect. So is recognition by your peers. A disappointment has been how difficult it is to capture the essence, feel and size of the project photographically.

How does your response deal with harsh climate?

Townsville has a dry tropical climate – rain comes very infrequently. We incorporated traditional local models – ie. The north-Queenslander, including its use of large overhangs, and bold sun-shading, often ‘clipped on’. Stretching verandah areas to the maximum allowable under the Army’s accommodation deal with its soldiers was always a priority.

The articulation of structure produces fragmented and layered forms. There is almost something un-military in its informal composition. Was there any sense that your initial design proposal was too tough?

No, out concern to overcome the typical barracks model was accepted by the military – this and other ‘principles’ for instance – siting, materials, colour palette, fixtures and fittings were established early, signed off and then the formula rigorously applied.

The staircases are very gutsy to the point of appearing almost exaggerated. What is the purpose of their treatment?

We have had comments that they appear to be “after the cyclone”. The shell blocks of the unit buildings mass up as 4m wide by 45m (6 units) long by 8m (3 floors) high rectangular solids each containing 18 units. Stairs, balconies, sun-shading, etc are added to these simple blocks generally on the sides that face the community areas. There is a stair between every two units (for privacy and address) and therefore three stairs per building. There are quite a few stairs and they add texture and interest to the long flat facades. “Townsville already had a find tradition of prefab 2-storey steel-frame buildings from the 60s. And moving on from these nicely rugged and direct examples, our design features narrow-waisted buildings that ventilate and light much more efficiently and are carefully orientated to minimise solar loadings, yet are pleasant to be in,” says project architect Phil Tait of BVN.

What was the process to achieve success?

It was reasonably well ordered once the usual issues of budget, program and briefing were dealt with. We did this early by producing a guideline document that was signed off. It became the ‘instruction booklet’ for the project direction. We were also very fortunate to have a project officer from the defence department who was very interested and well read in architecture. He became our ‘patron’ if you will, championing our ideas when the direction became diverted from the main and imperative architectural issues.

Did you use many military references and techniques to help shape the result?

Well, one of the main design ideals for the project was robustness. We used the analogies of strength, durability, toughness, directness and the tradition of the military quite often in talking about the project. Lavarack’s Ready Brigade troops are largely transient. They are only here preparing for the next assignment. This perhaps influenced our design approach with the clustering of the building arrangements, somewhat like encampments, based on traditional unit manning ratios – all designed to promote community and team building.

Did you learn anything from working with a military client that surprised you or influenced the outcome?

We were impressed by their decision making ability, their concern for the troops and their appreciation of the need for quality. They weren’t afraid to invest the necessary money and time.

Given the availability of real estate, what were the principal ideas behind building taller instead of lower?

There isn’t really as much buildable land available as is widely imagined. There is a lot of unsuitable terrain, steep slopes, creeks and wind shadow areas. There were also limits and defined precincts set by an existing masterplan. To build with smaller footprints also meant more site for trees and critters and floods (not to mention V8s).

What sort of innovation and difference have you made?

I think there are aspects of community building and housing principles drawn from our collective experience, as well as the use or pre-fabrication and attention to ESD issues. We certainly gave plenty of attention to durability. I think we also demonstrated that building cheap and hard can also be fun!

In your research, what were the recurring issues, or responses, that either impressed or deterred you?

Building in clusters helped to crease a sense of community, yet you need to ensure privacy. Typically, ESD appeared low on some agendas, also we wanted to ensure this housing reflected an intelligent simplicity.

Government projects frequently demand understatement to reduce fears of criticism for high-spending. Did you encounter much skepticism about the relevance of architecture as opposed to the mere act of building?

That never seemed to be an issue. Everyone considered the project understated but clear, robust and functional. Perhaps that was in the way things were described in presentation.

There is a view that good design is becoming more highly valued by government – demonstrating value for money. Good design costs no more and in fact often saves money.

What are the principal techniques used to produce energy efficient structures?

In this case, simple really: Standardisation, pre-fabrication and orientation

How efficiently does the design and steel cladding deal with the environmental issues?

It’s probably fair to say that steel used on an army base in this way is quite radical. More recent military base housing resembles suburban motels. But Lavarack already had a fine tradition of prefab 2-storey steel-frame building from the 60s. And moving on from these nicely rugged and direct examples, our design features narrow-waisted buildings that ventilate and light much more efficiently and are carefully orientated to minimise solar loadings yet are pleasant to be in. We use large openings, verandah’s and outdoor spaces to allow for privacy and community. Apart from its distinctive appearance, steel cladding is durable, lightweight, thermally efficient and capable of prefabrication off site.

What kind of energy saving, if any, does this solution represent over the conventional masonry block?
There are savings on capital costs and the ability to prefabricate off-site saves energy, materials and minimises waste. This reduces site overheads, avoids wet trades on site and performs well to ESD standards. In fact another 108 units built in this fashion will be added to Lavarack’s housing stock this year.

How does steel’s expression fit the military environment?

Structurally the external steel elements helped overcome the relentless ‘egg-crate’ nature of the basic slab concrete framed shell of walls and floors. Steel cladding is cost effective, low maintenance yet it offers a textural quality with vernacular references that touch on a machine, or military aesthetic.

Were you surprised to win a Robin Boyd Award for Lavarack? I understand the judges rejected your first submission due to ‘poor presentation images’.

We were very surprised and honoured. It was one of the first multiple unit residential projects to be awarded in this way. Thiess need a special thanks for backing our ideas. It is a public, but low profile, project that doesn’t have the instantly evocative image associated with a one-off house.

After Cyclone Tracy, a concrete bunker mentality overcame the Top End. What has brought about the return to lightweight cladding?

I reckon it’s all to do with a thoughtful response to climate, materials and the vernacular – just plain old common sense really.