Adelaide’s Marion Cultural Centre occupies a prominent site at the intersection of major arterial roads, positioned alongside the expansive Westfield Marion shopping centre, one of South Australia’s largest retail hubs.
Marion Cultural Centre is located on the lands of the Kaurna people.
Adelaide’s Marion Cultural Centre occupies a prominent site at the intersection of major arterial roads, positioned alongside the expansive Westfield Marion shopping centre, one of South Australia’s largest retail hubs. Given this highly visible yet commercially dominated setting, the challenge was to create a civic landmark that could stand out and establish a strong community presence.
Our client, the City of Marion, envisioned the centre as a cultural and civic anchor, reinforcing the identity of the area while supporting its aspirations as a technology-driven smart zone. The design needed to be immediately recognisable, communicating its public and cultural function amid the surrounding retail and traffic-heavy environment.
To achieve this, we integrated the name ‘Marion’ directly into the building’s façade and external elements, embedding a literal sense of place into its architecture. The bold design ensures that the centre is unmistakable and visible, even in the dynamic urban landscape around it.
The project was also part of a broader strategy to establish a cultural precinct within the City of Marion. Since its completion, the Cultural Centre has acted as a catalyst for further development, with additional cultural and community-focused buildings emerging around it, reinforcing its role as a civic and cultural hub.
The Marion Cultural Centre’s library serves as the information and technology hub of the precinct. Originally planned as a branch library, it quickly evolved into the head office for the City of Marion’s library network due to a significant increase in loans and public demand.
To accommodate future growth and adaptability, the library’s floor plan was designed to be open and flexible, ensuring it could evolve alongside changing community needs and technological advancements. The Service and Information Desk is positioned near the main entrance, making it easily accessible for visitors.
The architectural design prioritises natural light and openness, with verandah windows and a screened eastern façade allowing daylight to filter into the space, creating a welcoming and well-lit environment for study, reading, and community engagement.
In the years after the completion of the new library, visitors increased from 300 to 750 per day and attracted 800 new members per month.
Other elements
The energy-efficient design incorporates a stormwater retention system that allows surface run-off to be stored, filtered on site, then pumped into the ground to replenish the aquifer under Adelaide. There is also a solar hot water system, water-efficient fixtures and fittings, energy-efficient artificial lighting, low-energy evaporative systems and economy cycle air conditioning. The external landscaping is low maintenance and water efficient.
In 2018, the Marion community fought a move to demolish the Cultural Centre and replace it with a multi-national hotel. Thanks to a strong community campaign to save the building, it is now protected by state and national heritage listings.