Gum San Chinese Heritage Museum
Gum San Chinese Heritage Museum
Client, City of Ararat
Design, manufacture and installation
This museum was established to celebrate the discovery of gold on this site by the Chinese, leading to the founding of the Rural City of Ararat. The exhibition experience follows the journey of these prospectors from China to Ararat in search of Gold. The displays incorporate video, dioramas, photographic murals, audio visual effects, and a range of interactive media.
Eucalyptus Discovery Centre
Eucalyptus Discovery Centre
Client, Friends of the Peter Francis Points Arboretum
Design, manufacture and installation
Permanent exhibition featuring the Eucalypt’s diversity, ecological role and uses. Presented through a range of media including an audio visual presentation, computer game, interactive displays, murals and text panels. Organic materials and timber structures, large format digital prints and painted MDF.
Mary MacKillop Trail
Mary MacKillop Trail
Client, Southern Grampians Shire Council
Design, manufacture and installation (2010)
The canonisation of Mary MacKillop was a significant event in 2010. A number of communities in Western Victoria collaborated to plan and implement a touring trail of significant sites in relation to Mary MacKillop’s life and work. Challis Design designed and manufactured fourteen interpretive signs that covered Mary MacKillop’s early years in Hamilton, Penola, Portland, Robe and Port Macquarie. The signs were manufactured using materials relevant to the region, including basalt in Hamilton and Portland and sandstone in Robe.
Colac Environmental Signage
Colac Environmental Signage
Client, Colac Otway Shire
Design, manufacture and installation (2012)
Three, free-standing road signs and three, smaller, wall-mounted signs were designed and installed to help educate and engage the travelling public on the rare and threatened species in the local region. The simple design allows the species to be the focal point, with the use of black allowing the bright colours to attract attention. This simple layout was particularly important for the road side signs, in order to allow motorists time to view all the information.
You Yangs Geoglyph
You Yangs Geoglyph
Client, Parks Victoria
Design, manufacture and installation (2006)
A series of sculptural artworks was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong to celebrate the Commonwealth Games. One of the artworks was commissioned in conjunction with Parks Victoria for siting at the You Yangs National Park. The artwork was inspired by Aboriginal history and culture of the region and was based around the image Bunjil, wedge-tailed eagle.
Two Towns Trail
Two Towns Trail
Client, Baw Baw Shire Council
Design, manufacture and installation (2013)
The Trail is an eight kilometre walking and cycling path linking two West Gippsland towns, Drouin and Warragul. Two key threatened species — the Giant Gippsland Earthworm and the Burrowing Crayfish – provided inspiration for the form and content of these interpretive structures. In keeping with the already completed Two Towns Trail wayfinding signage, the same materials and graphic styles were adopted to ensure consistency.
Footscray Railway Interpretive Signage
Footscray Railway Signage
Client, Thiess Balfour Beatty Joint Venture
Design, manufacture and installation (2014)
Working with Hassell Studio, RBA Architects and Regional Rail Link, Challis Design developed and implemented a range of interpretive signage elements for the newly refurbished Footscray Railway Station. Structural elements, including dark frames and decorative fixings, complement the building’s architecture. Gloss acrylic panels provide additional security in a high traffic environment.
Old Beechy Rail Trail
Beechy Rail Trail
Client, Colac Otway Shire
Design, manufacture and installation (2011)
Interpretive signs were developed to complement existing signage, with a similar artwork style, content and colour scheme, yet remain distinctive in their own right. Nine key station signs and 15 interpretive signs, with screen printed graphics, were developed for points of historical interest along the trail. Seven environmental signs, with digital print graphics, were developed, which highlight significant types of vegetation along the trail.
Bendigo Pottery Exhibition
Bendigo Pottery Museum
Client, Bendigo Pottery
Design, manufacture and installation (2000)
A comprehensive exhibition program utilising previously inaccessible locations and archives. Explores the history of the Pottery and the lives of the people that shaped it. Central to the exhibition are the original kilns, utilised for an audio visual theatrette presentation. Also features life size mannequins, soundscapes, time-line, a large collection of historic pieces and equipment. Incorporating back-lit showcases, free standing text panels, timeline, theatrical lighting and custom designed plinths.
Curlewis Parks Estate Interpretive Signage
Curlews Parks Estate Interpretive Signage
Client, Streetscapes
Design, manufacture and installation (2014)
As part of the development of this estate, Challis Design worked with Infinity Landscape Architects to develop and implement four interpretive signs that feature Indigenous artwork and stories relevant to the area. The design features rolled, rusted metal structure, raised graphic panel and feature, laser cut motif that reflects each individual artwork.
