Beneath the Surface

Project Name Beneath the Surface
Location Moree, NSW
Typology Recreation

“I have never been able to be on the water without wanting to be in it” - L'œuvre de Swinburne, Paul de Reul 1871.

Suffering from underlying issues of segregation and the dire need for quality public infrastructure, the residents of Moree are destined to either move away or fall through the cracks of society. Beneath the Surface proposes redevelopment of the existing facilities and surrounding landscape of the famous healing waters at Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre. 

The project tackles an issue commonly found within regional towns in Australia; being racism and more specifically the local indigenous population excluding themselves as a result of past clashes. The site of the Moree Baths was a catalyst for change during the Freedom Rides led by Charles Perkins and was highly influential to the 1967 referendum, amending the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them. This catalyst came at a significant cost to the indigenous students advocating for these rights however.

The redevelopment of the Artesian Baths highlights these past, present and future issues of the site and greater context of Moree by providing experiential thresholds culminating with the user walking into the famous healing waters.

This project is the culmination of my passion and belief in the healing power of water and aquatic environments.

Andrew was awarded the 2018 New South Wales (NSW) Graduate Medal for this project, which is the most prestigious award available to a graduate of architecture in the state. This is the second year running that a Master of Architecture alumnus from the University of Newcastle has received this award.