Kiandra Courthouse + Chalet

Kiandra is a place of constant change. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service commissioned Welsh + Major with Myson Berkery to design and document the redevelopment of the group of buildings known as the Kiandra Courthouse and Chalet. Of national and state heritage significance, Kiandra has experienced dramatic change throughout its relatively short existence. It began life as a gold rush town and soon after became the birthplace of organised skiing in Australia.

Kiandra Courthouse and Chalet was to be redeveloped in stages with accommodation, an interpretive resource centre and cafe which when completed would have served as the new hub for tourism activities in the North Kosciuscko National Park area. The robust design developed for the harsh climate and remote location, uses best practice ESD principles, including electricity co-generation, black water treatment and passive solar design. Tragically the building was caught in the 2020 bushfires that ravaged SE Australia; what the next chapter entails for this site is yet to be written.