Eden Welcome Centre shines bright with prestigious accolade

The Eden Welcome Centre has been recognised yet again, receiving the highly coveted Blacket Prize by the NSW Australian Institute of Architects. The prestigious Blacket Prize is the highest honour for projects in country NSW that promote design excellence and has a proud history of recognising regional buildings of note since 1964.

Port Authority of New South Wales CEO Philip Holliday said the Eden Welcome Centre, represents the culmination of outstanding design, as well as public engagement that has translated into this beautiful and functional building we see today.

“I am delighted our Eden Welcome Centre has been recognised again for its outstanding design that recognises the maritime, indigenous and local history and industries of the region,” Mr Holliday said.

“The beauty of this building is that much of the timber was recycled from neighbouring jetties and timber wharves across NSW with some of the timber columns and beams over 100 years old and on their third life,” Mr Holliday said.

The project also gave a great opportunity to local builders and apprentices to work on delivering such a unique building.

The Centre also includes local indigenous art by Cheryl Davidson and local Yuin storytelling in the market stall area that is abuzz with activity when cruise ships arrive into Snug Cove.

The Eden Welcome Centre was also awarded a commendation for the Sustainable Architecture category, for its reused timbers along with the green star accreditation due to its energy and water efficiency, solar panels and hybrid ventilation and the Eden Visitor Information Centre, the building’s main tenant, was named as a Finalist in the Visitor Information Services category of the prestigious 2022 NSW Tourism Awards.

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