JOURNAL/ July/2014

The design concept for the tower creates a new ‘vertical community’ and achieves high levels of environmental performance with exceptional residential amenity. It is simultaneously the edge condition, entry marker and gateway on a site where the Olympic Park meets Bicentennial Park and where city meets nature.

Project Director Philip Vivian explains the design approach:
"The design response is a unique triangular shaped tower that is a slender entry marker to Olympic Park, while also responding to its pivotal location. The soft corners reflect the elliptical towers further along Australia Avenue, while vertical gardens continue the landscape of Bicentennial Parklands into the third dimension."

Environmentally the design cleans, filters and cools air to apartments and common areas, provides cross ventilation to apartments and common areas, shades apartments in summer while admitting winter sunlight. This building will be the next generation of environmental apartment living at Olympic Park.

Chadstone is a very attractive and sustainable place to work. The new office building will allow more people to work, shop and live within the 20 minute radius which is becoming accepted as a target for sustainable urban living.

The proposal introduces new convenience and urban efficiency into the Principal Activity Centre, providing approximately 16,000sqm NLA of new workplace space with additional opportunity for an adjacent hotel, conference and restaurant space. Chadstone’s newly consolidated bus terminal is immediately adjacent to the new building, providing convenient public transport for office workers living in a wide range of surrounding suburbs.

When completed, both towers will capitalise on leafy views over Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs to the city, maximised by the ovoid plan of the buildings. These buildings are designed to be seen in the round, as free-standing and more organic objects free of rectangular geometry. Unconstrained by the central-city grid system, the buildings have developed as softer forms influenced by Chadstone’s garden setting and will become iconic structures within a suburban setting.

A lush green atrium akin to an ampitheatre will unify the mixed-use space. The design is casual and unpretentious, it welcomes residents home as well as visitors to the hotel and retail areas.

Patterned screen awnings between sandstone and plant clad columns reference the art deco style of the building and form pockets of intimacy around the perimeter of the atrium. These screens create a 'secret garden' feel within the space, patterned with an interesting play of shadows and dappled light. The amphitheatre becomes a place to “see and be seen.”

The chosen palette of materials is both tonal and textured; sandstone, concrete hexagonal tiles, and textured paint. The atrium is intersected by a walkway of recycled timber connecting the Porte Cochere to the retail zones.

Bates Smart will also design the residential lift lobbies and connecting corridors. The corridors have a strong local reference – a “boardwalk” style carpet and wall graphics that play on shadow and light.

Sometimes humorous, often surprising, the stories in From the Ground Up show us just what it takes to succeed in the demanding and intensely competitive profession of architecture. More importantly though they provide an understanding of the very human influences shaping our buildings, our cities and our societies

Learn about From the Ground Up from the publisher, Uro Media

Struan first joined Bates Smart in 1957 and became a Partner in 1970s. Struan's long and distinguished career at Bates Smart was coupled with a significant contribution to architectural practice through his work as a Life Fellow at the Australian Institute of Architects.

Struan is most closely associated with Bates Smart projects for the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, La Trobe and Monash Universities as well as the Wentworth Melbourne Hotel (now Sofitel). 

Designed by Bates Smart, 171 Collins Street uses world-leading ESD principles and sustainable design to create a healthier, better quality working environment for its tenants. It is Victoria’s first PCA Premium Grade building awarded the coveted 6 Star Green Star – Office Design (v2) Certified Rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, representing ‘World Leadership’ in environmentally sustainable design.

Read the media release to learn about the projects high performance design features.

Highlights of Bates Smart's work include the magnificent State Library Reading Dome, the ground breaking Orica House tower, or our latest award winning commercial development at 171 Collins Street.   

Tim Leslie, Bates Smart Studio Director, is the current and founding President of Open House Melbourne. Every year he also curates two speaker series which provide the public an opportunity to hear the philosophy from the designers behind their built works. This year’s speaker series will be held on Wednesday 16th July at Federation Square from 6pm and 22nd July at the Capitol Theatre from 6pm.

We hope you will participate in Open House Melbourne and further discover the importance of good design to create vibrant, liveable cities. a
 

National Award Joint Winners:

Public Sydney - Drawing The City by Philip Thalis + Peter John Cantrill

Furniture, Structure, Infrastructure by Nigel Bertram, NMBW

Local Award Winner:

The Architecture of Edmond and Corrigan Film - RMIT Gallery

Joint commendations:

Minimono Volume 01 - by Paul Morgan Architects - Edited by Maitiu Ward

New Suburban: Reinventing The Family Home Australia and New Zealand by Stuart Harrison

Image: Still from The Architecture of Edmond and Corrigan Film

Congratulations to all.

Read the jury citations here.