Located on the Pacific Highway between Brisbane and Sydney, the Midway project at Coffs Harbour proposes a new, integrated mixed-use development. The brief required a business centre, conference facility, large plate commercial space, high quality accommodation, and a restaurant and wine bar.
Deicke Richards was engaged to complete a master planning process with the client. The process investigated a possible reclassification for the site, and for similar sites, in order to meet the commercial needs of Coffs Harbour. Following the enquiry by design workshop, Deicke Richards contributed architecture, landscape architecture and interior design services to developing a schematic design suitable for a development application.
The architecture adapts to its high-speed highway environment by being bold and recognizable – a strategy assisted by the scale of the project. An innovative façade will draw air through vegetation to increase air quality within the internal spaces.
The design responds with a resilience that respects rather than fights its environmental challenges. The site is adjacent to a creek and mangrove wetlands. Bush fire regulations were embraced to inform the organisation of residential and commercial spaces.
The project aims to contribute to the economic and social strengthening of the Coffs Harbour region.
