The London, Port Melbourne — A Celebration Of Beachfront Beauty

THE LONDON, PORT MELBOURNE — A CELEBRATION OF BEACHFRONT BEAUTY

The iconic The London on Victoria’s Port Melbourne’s foreshore has undergone a riveting redevelopment to produce a contemporary venue that luxuriates in its prime waterfront setting. Located at 92 Beach Street, the property is well-positioned to enjoy the salty sea breeze and outstanding views across the bay. Smartech Door Systems was engaged to maximise the site’s wealth of opportunities by celebrating its beachfront outlook through the discerning use of the company’s specially engineered windows. Generously applied, the building encompasses seven external V folding windows and six vertical down lift windows wrapping around the glazed façade.

With an outward focus, the intention to frame Port Melbourne’s vistas, while uniting the interior space with the exterior environment, was paramount. The venture spurred a flurry of innovative development with the building’s distinctive design prompting the client to request unique windows. Ever-championing bespoke solutions to enhance the originality of projects, Smartech’s team set about crafting two custom designs.

Through consultation between the client and Smartech’s specialist engineers, the resulting window solutions included the re-design of an existing product to produce vertical down lift windows and the creation of an entirely new product, external V folding windows. Specially constructed to fit the purpose of The London, the genesis of Smartech’s External V Folding Windows and Vertical

Down Lift Windows involved several design constraints to be considered, including exclusive slimline designs and the need to fit within steel window surrounds.

The external V folding windows present a sophisticated steel system, while incorporating signature seals and aluminium tracks. Offering no obstruction to the interior space, the windows are configured to fold and rise parallel to the ceiling exterior to the first floor. Electric operation is afforded by new raising mechanisms developed by Smartech—both sides of the window utilise chain to lift and rotate the folding panels.

Entirely stainless steel, the ground floor’s vertical down lift windows were re-designed to ensure the correct tolerances for its custom tracks and seals. The stainless steel chain lifting mechanism of this window is visible, adding industrial flair to the design as the panel drops down gracefully to the floor.

Keeping within the narrow parameters of the apertures, the final external V folding windows and vertical down lift windows fit within 65 mm on each side and encompass a sleek inline motor above and behind the top powder coated panel. Both window designs and their accompanying fixed balustrades are double-glazed.

Allowing the corner block to take full advantage of its coastal backdrop, Smartech’s mechanical windows open and close at the touch of a button—welcoming streams of light and air to move throughout, while retaining panoramic views even when closed. Fostering connectivity throughout the venue and towards the seascape beyond, Smartech realised the client’s vision for windows that would seamlessly glide into an elegant open position to complement the Hotel’s clean aesthetic.

For further information about any Smartech products, please visit www.smartechdoorsystems.com.au or email sales@smartechdoorsystems.com.au.

Fabricator: Smartech Door Systems (www.smartechdoorsystems.com.au) Pro

ducts: Vertical Down Lift Windows & External V Folding windows Archite

cts: Ewert Leaf Architects