» COMMERCIAL - HENRY JAMES BUILDING

 

The design brief from the client was to convert an old warehouse and house on adjoining lots into a viable commercial and retail development.

 

 

There was a requirement under the Subiaco Central Development Plan for the development to allow for an ‘activated pedestrian connection’ to link Rokeby Road and Alvan Street with ‘activated frontages on both sides’. The proposed connection cut right through the middle of the site and had to be incorporated into the design.

 

The old house was completely demolished, whilst most of warehouse was retained although the existing brickwork of the existing façade was unable to support the proposed structure and therefore removed. The resulting development effectively extended the warehouse to create approximately 1230m² of leasable office/retail space with tenant and client parking at the rear of the site accessible from the adjacent right-of-way.

 

The pedestrian connection with Rokeby Road takes the form of an arcade seemingly carved out of the building. Full height glazing to both walls of the arcade creates a light, reflective atmosphere whilst providing glimpses into the ‘back of house’ areas of the bordering offices. The arcade is able to be secured at close of business by recessed steel roller shutters.

 

The Alvan Street façade is a subtle play on solid and void with the entries to the offices and arcade voids in the solid façade that abuts the property boundary. Signage panels of colourback glazing and a vibrant colour palette of red, dark maroon and a very pale mauve add further depth.

 

The internal fit outs were completed by others.