Newman Youth & Community Hub
Gresley Abas, in collaboration with weco architects, was engaged by the Shire of East Pilbara to deliver the detailed design and documentation for the Newman Youth & Community Hub, a new civic facility designed to support the social and cultural life of Newman. Located on a prominent site at the intersection of Iron Ore Parade and Newman Drive, the Hub brings together youth services, a public library and a range of community amenities within a single integrated building.
The facility is organised into two key wings. A Library and a Youth Hub sit alongside each other, connected by generous shaded outdoor spaces and unified under a bold roof form. The Library includes a crèche, lending services, computer hub, staff offices and tourist information point. The Youth Hub provides flexible program rooms, consulting spaces, a commercial kitchen, movie theatre and recording studio. The planning supports independent operation and after-hours use, allowing multiple services and community groups to use the building throughout the day and evening.
The project builds on more than a decade of planning for a new community hub in Newman. Gresley Abas and weco were appointed following the completion of schematic design by Cox Architecture and worked closely with the Shire and local stakeholders to refine the project through detailed design. Workshops with Library and Youth Centre staff helped shape planning decisions and ensure the building responds directly to operational needs and community aspirations.
The architecture responds strongly to the Pilbara climate and landscape. Rammed earth walls, floating roof forms and deep verandas create shade and thermal mass while giving the building a strong civic presence. A material palette inspired by the native flora of Jirntalpa Karnti, together with integrated public art and wayfinding, grounds the building in its local cultural context. The result is a welcoming and resilient community hub designed to support learning, creativity and connection across generations.
