In 2006 HPA were engaged by DVA to report on the overall development proposal for an Australian Visitor Interpretive Centre on the battlefields of the Western Front. This included examination of historical context, various sites in the region, preliminary design brief and capital cost recommendation. The Report titled Facility Development Plan recommended the National Memorial at Villers Brettoneaux.
In 2008 HPA were engaged to examine development options for an International standard Visitor Interpretive Centre at the Site. Four detailed planning options were developed. Due to the sensitive nature of the site, design modelling involved high realism rendering from multiple view vantage points to test site impact. The proposals were designed to an agreed functional brief – each option having to consider land acquisition, significant infrastructure, roads, access, materials, etc.
Each option was presented in detail to key stakeholders. As lead consultant HPA engaged cost planners Turner Townsend London and tourism specialists in France, London and Sydney. The project was costed in detail for both capital construction cost and operations / life cycle cost.
Major Sub-Consultants
Turner Townsend London, (Cost Consultants)
ProjectAustralian National Memorial France, Western Front Interpretive CentreClientDepartment of Veterans Affairs, Office of Australian War GravesLocationVillers Bretonneux FranceDate2006 - 2008ValueBriefed Project Value range was briefed at $22-45M
