“An extreme makeover in a tight urban location”
Relationship to site, context, presence
Wedged between a 4-storey carpark building and a 2-storey office, this site presented particular challenges for remodelling; and the existing building had little spatial diversity. The owner required a transformation to modernise the building suitable for leasing.
Relationship between concept, form, structure
Internally, the building has been opened up through the removal of partitions, and cutting a hole in the floor to form a double height entry void. This new feature provides a functional link between all of the significant spaces within the building; and is supplemented by an enclosed courtyard at the rear of the building. The street façade has been modernised and re-faced with flush glazing and aluminium composite panel.
Light, colour, texture, space
An unusual choice of colour for the street façade provides a sense of identity to the building exterior. The greatest improvement in the quality of the interior is the entry void, which benefits all surrounding spaces. The glazed courtyard also draws light into the building interior. Together, these two features help to create a surprisingly light and open office environment in an otherwise hemmed-in site.
Environmental
Recycling of entire buildings is seen as preferable to demolition and new construction where possible. In this case, the building shell has been substantially retained, but building services have been modernised and upgraded. Natural daylighting has been significantly improved – impacting on the quality and energy efficiency of the interior environment.
User satisfaction
After sitting vacant for some time before the refurbishment, the entire building was immediately let once completed. This result is seen by the owner as excellent in a softening commercial market.
Contribution/spirit
The project demonstrates that central urban buildings can be successfully salvaged to provide for contemporary office accommodation, despite restrictions of size and exterior envelope.