Since 2020, Ecolibrium has been privileged to collaborate with the Permaculture Noosa Cooroy Community Gardens to design a truly inspiring project: a community-built pavilion designed as a hub for learning, connection, and celebration.
The vision was clear – to create a space where the community could come together for hands-on workshops and courses, from growing food to exploring sustainable practices, as well as share skills, celebrate harvests, and connect through social gatherings and shared meals.
With determination, creativity, and a huge fundraising effort from volunteers, the project secured grants and community support to commence construction in 2021. Despite COVID-related supply challenges, the build progressed in stages and with a significant donation from Bendigo Bank, was able to be completed in 2023.
A unique feature of the pavilion was its role as a capacity-building project: community members learned cob building techniques through hands-on workshops led by experts, including Brett Grimley (Ecolibrium Design), Jodie Lyn (Cobhearthome), and Elena Moctezuma (Nativo Designs). Volunteers then helped construct the cob walls and pizza oven, making the space a true product of collective effort.
Officially opened in September 2023, the pavilion has quickly become a thriving hub of sustainability education, health, and community connection. On a recent visit, we were delighted to see a native bee hotel workshop in full swing – a reminder of how a co-created, regenerative space can nurture knowledge, skills, and relationships across generations.
This project exemplifies the power of collaborative design, natural building, and community-driven initiatives – a place where people and nature grow together, and where learning and connection are at the heart of every gathering.
Photography by Christopher Puro, Bueno Design
