The Trentham Neighbourhood Centre is a revitalised community facility for the Hepburn Shire Council, transforming the former Mechanics Institute Hall into a dynamic, multipurpose space that honours the town’s heritage while meeting the evolving needs of the local community.

Located in the heart of the Coliban Ward, the project involved the renovation and expansion of the historic hall to create a vibrant new hub incorporating a library, community playgroup facilities, visitor information centre, council customer service counter, meeting rooms, and a refurbished community hall.

In keeping with the project’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the design was developed in close consultation with an ESD consultant to meet 5 Star Green Star standards, with detailed analysis and documentation demonstrating compliance with the rating’s benchmarks. Although the project was not formally certified, it achieves the principles of sustainability through thoughtful material selection, passive design strategies, and efficient building systems.

The integration of the original hall with new, contemporary architecture celebrates the site’s history while providing a warm and welcoming space for cultural, social, and civic activities. The Trentham Neighbourhood Centre now serves as a vital gathering place — a shared space for locals and visitors to connect, participate and engage with their community.