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Client Brief:
The design brief from the client was to revive an ageing building that occupies a favourable position at the intersection of Murray Street Mall and William Street in the city centre.
Design Solution:
The addition of the entry to the new underground train station has brought an increase in pedestrian traffic in the area and along with construction beginning on the office tower opposite; the existing building was in need of refurbishment. The building resides at a prominent intersection, with the office levels overlooking the Murray Street Mall but failing to connect with the activity at street level. The William Street façade was an expanse of painted brick and the entry to the office levels nondescript and difficult to find.
The offices are oriented north and hence it was imperative to address the early afternoon sun. A ‘curtain’ of stainless steel mesh was designed to span four levels with the intent to provide necessary shade but allow uninterrupted visibility from the offices to the street activity below. Horizontal aluminium louvers break up the mesh curtain and provide solid shading where required.
A large box feature clad in Sparkling Black Alucobond presents a bold statement to the intersection of William and Murray Streets and ‘contains’ the integrated signage billboard which is raking to mimic the lines of the mesh curtain. Vibrant yellow box awnings over faux windows add further visual interest to the William Street façade and draw the eye up and away from the billboard to the city skyline beyond.
Both the raking mesh curtain and bold black box add visual weight to the top of the building, counter balancing the activity of the retail shops at ground level. The provision of a second storey parapet over the office entry references the lines of the streetscape and also provides a more defined foyer.
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