The Ned Kelly Discovery Hub, located in Glenrowan, Victoria and designed by Content Studio, has been awarded top honours at the 2024 Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards. Not only did this visionary project earn the highest overall score, but it also won the Regional Design Award, cementing its significance as both a standout architectural feat and a key contribution to regional design in Australia.
A Futuristic Space Rooted in History
Designed by Melbourne-based architecture firm Content Studio, the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub has redefined how we engage with historical narratives. Content Studio is known for creating thoughtful, site-specific designs that connect people with place. Their multidisciplinary approach—working across architecture, interior design, and spatial graphics—was key in shaping this project, which brings modern design principles to a historically rich location.
Set in the landscape of Ned Kelly’s last stand, the Hub takes on the immense challenge of honouring a largely vanished historical context while creating a captivating, forward-thinking experience. The building, anchored by cutting-edge design principles, becomes the centrepiece for cultural revitalisation in ‘Kelly Country’.
Celebrating Steel Innovation
A highlight of the Hub’s design is the clever and symbolic use of LONGLINE 305® on the building’s roof. The ribbed steel profile draws inspiration from the iconic armour of the Kelly gang. “The use of steel in this project establishes a strong visual and thematic connection to Australia's bushranger heritage,” said Content Studio.
The LYSAGHT® steel roofing not only enabled the realisation of the structure’s complex geometries but also provided durability, helping the building stand as a lasting monument.
“We couldn’t have achieved the complexity of the structure’s twisted helices and distinctive circular form without LYSAGHT LONGLINE 305®,” remarked Content Studio, acknowledging Lysaght for its support in bringing this bold vision to life.
A Bold Approach to Regional Architecture
The Ned Kelly Discovery Hub demonstrates how modern materials like LONGLINE 305® can transform a design by balancing functionality with cultural relevance. In a region deeply connected to the story of Ned Kelly, the Hub’s architectural strategy brings history to life while addressing the practical demands of the Australian climate. The sleek, durable roof not only echoes Kelly’s armour but also complements the rugged landscape of Glenrowan.
The Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards judging panel noted that the project expertly illustrated how contemporary materials could bridge the past and present. By integrating LYSAGHT® steel and it’s longstanding Australian legacy into the design, Content Studio created a structure that is both innovative and respectful of its historic setting.
A Well-Deserved Honour
As the Overall Winner of the 2024 Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards, Content Studio will receive a trip for two to attend the World Architecture Festival in Singapore later this year. They also receive a $5,000 cash prize as the winner of the Regional Design category.
This dual recognition reinforces the Hub’s standing as a significant architectural achievement, one that elegantly merges history, design, and material innovation.
“We are thrilled to be the Overall Winner of the 2024 Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards and also the Regional Design winner,” expressed Content Studio upon learning of their win. “We’d like to thank Lysaght for their acknowledgment and support of architectural practice.”
To read more about the full list of winners from this year’s Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards, click here.
