Caloundra Community & Creative Hub: Embedding Cultural Narrative in Built Form

The Context

The Sunshine Coast Council faced a significant urban design challenge: how to transform the heart of Caloundra into a cohesive “Community and Creative Hub.” The project scope involved integrating major new cultural assets, a contemporary Library and Regional Gallery, with a new Town Square and high street connection.
The site required more than just architectural placement; it needed a “Green Link” to physically and culturally connect the bustling Bulcock Street with the relaxed atmosphere of the Pumicestone Passage. The challenge was to create a “sticky” cultural destination that would drive economic revitalisation while respecting the town’s laid-back, coastal identity.

The Collaboration

POMO was engaged as the Placemaking Specialist within a diverse consortium led by Jacobs (Architecture & Urban Design). We collaborated closely with local architectural lead Patrick Ozmin Architecture to ensure the built form responded to the coastal character.
Crucially, the design process was informed by direct engagement with Kabi Kabi representatives. This allowed us to move beyond tokenism and embed deep First Nations narratives such as the “Native Bee” concept and ancient walking routes directly into the precinct’s identity.

Our role was to bridge the gap between abstract “place identity” and technical delivery. We executed a rigorous three-phase methodology to ensure that local stories didn’t just end up in a report, but became the DNA for the design.

1. The “Deep Dive”: Unlocking Place Identity Before design commenced, we performed a forensic “Place Audit” to define the specific DNA of Caloundra. We moved beyond generic descriptors like “beachy” to uncover authentic narratives through:

   • Historical Analysis: We delved into archival records to map the town’s evolution, identifying pivotal site-specific stories such as the “Steinsen Family Garden” (the original site of Felicity Park) and the history of the Oyster Camps along the passage.
   • Cultural Mapping: We analysed how locals use the space, identifying Caloundra’s unique culture of “active outdoor recreation” from the Ma & Pa Bendall surfing legacy to the network of coastal boardwalks.
   • First Nations Consultation: Through listening to local First Nation’s elder, we mapped ancient Songlines and gathering sites, identifying the significance of “movement” and “celebration” (referencing the Bunya Festival) as key themes to be reinstated in the modern precinct.

2. Strategic Co-Design: The Visioning Workshop We facilitated a structured co-design environment to test these themes against Council realities. Using Edward De Bono’s “Green Hat” thinking, we removed initial constraints to encourage creative problem-solving.

   • Sensory Mapping: Instead of reviewing static plans, we led stakeholders through a “Five Senses” exploration. Participants defined the future precinct through sound, touch, and atmosphere shifting the conversation from functional requirements to human experiences (e.g., “dappled light,” “organic forms,” “timber textures”).
   • Conflict Resolution: We actively tested polarising ideas, such as the tension between “Maximising Event Space” (Hardscape) and “Retaining the Green Heart” (Softscape), ultimately guiding the group toward a “Central Park” model that balanced civic function with biophilic design.

3. Coding Narrative into Design: We translated our research into a “Site-Wide Placemaking Table,” a technical document that linked every physical object back to a specific story. This ensured that no element was generic.

   • The Steinsen Garden Narrative: For Felicity Park, we specified the retention of heritage Tuckeroo trees and the re-interpretation of the original stone BBQ as a discovery element, creating an “intimate gathering garden”
   • The Oyster Industry Narrative: For the “Otranto Avenue Eat Street,” we developed canopy shelter concepts inspired by the textures of oyster shells and volcanic rock. The structures were designed to mimic the layered nature of shellfish, embedding the fishing history directly into the streetscape infrastructure.
   • The Backyard Culture Narrative: For the “Exploration Gardens,” we rejected generic plastic playgrounds. Instead, we wrote a “Reverse Brief” for “Low-Fi Play” specifying tyre swings, ropes, and loose parts to evoke the nostalgia of a classic Caloundra coastal backyard some of which still exist today.

The Impact

The result is a comprehensive design concept, led and pulled together by Jacobs, where “Place Identity” is the physical driver of the built environment.

• Connected Precinct: The design successfully resolves the “Green Link,” creating a legible, shaded pedestrian spine that draws visitors from the beach to the high street.
• Cultural Destination: By embedding the Library and Gallery into a wider network of “Exploration Gardens” and event spaces, the precinct is positioned as a day-long destination rather than a single-use facility.
• Future-Proofed Strategy: The implementation plan is staged to align with broader frameworks like the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS), ensuring the investment is resilient against future climate impacts while remaining true to its local roots

*Photo credit: Picture Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Council

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