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MIX THREE
Quality architecture is years in the making. Research, innovation and creative development are often unseen until the unveiling of our completed buildings. Therefore, Journal is the diary of Bates Smart, opening the doors to our culture, process and everyday innovation. This document is a selection of projects, some still in progress, that represent our creativity, passion and desire to deliver high quality, commercially driven outcomes for our clients. Journal is open to anyone who has an interest in architecture and how the discipline of design is shaping our cities. We hope to take you on a journey that spans the last 12 months of our practice. http://journal.batessmart.com
THE CLUB STAND FLEMINGTON
MEMBERS’ EXCLUSIVE Bold and unique, celebrating the rich history of the Victoria Racing Club
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The Club Stand, view from the track The Club Stand, view from adjacent grandstand The Club Stand, ground level entry Previous page: The Club Stand, grandstand
THE CLUB STAND FLEMINGTON, MELBOURNE The design for the new VRC Club Stand is bold and unique and will ensure Flemington and the Victoria Racing Club continues to be one of the leading race clubs in the world. When complete in 2017, the Club Stand will be a celebration of the site’s history, character and excitement; a place to continue the long and rich traditions associated with thoroughbred racing at this famous location. In contrast to traditional sports stadia, the Club Stand presents itself in the round. In doing so it captures the spirit of the promenading which enhances the enjoyment of a day at the races. The sweeping curvilinear forms promote this unique movement and energy. The design acknowledges site context in which the theatre of horse racing is played out on all sides — mounting yard, track and members’ lawn to the south; parade ring and day stalls to the east; betting ring to the north; existing grandstands and winning post to the west.
For race-goers the new building will ensure an enhanced experience with improved hospitality offerings, internal circulation and amenities. Operationally the building will provide staff and caterers with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that safe and efficient services support the member experience. The venues inside the building are to be imbued with a sense of history without feeling beholden to it — featuring elements of the past, but interpreted with clean and sophisticated lines in a modern style, using warm materials. The story of Flemington Racecourse and the Victoria Racing Club is to be woven into the fabric of the building through material, pattern, pictorial and artefact reference and displays. The Club Stand is designed to build on the existing heritage at Flemington, and in turn to become an iconic part of the heritage of the Victoria Racing Club’s future.
The new Club Stand occupies the same footprint as the Members’ Old Grandstand, but will provide increased capacity and more diverse venues and facilities in response to contemporary expectations. ISSUE 05/5
180 THOMAS STREET SYDNEY
LIGHTENING THE LOAD A new building for Sydney, a new public plaza
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ISSUE 05/7
180 THOMAS STREET HAYMARKET, SYDNEY Located on a prominent corner in the heart of Sydney’s bustling Haymarket, this project was won through a City of Sydney Design Excellence Competition. The design achieved bonus height & Floor Space Ratio (FSR) on the basis of design excellence. The design challenge was to build a new building on top of an existing building which had columns and a lift core integrated into its original design. The original design was a central core, which restricted floor plate flexibility, and reduced connectivity. Our solution was to place a series of steel transfer trusses on top of the existing structure. This allowed the floor plate to cantilever beyond the existing building, increasing the floor area and aligning with the street wall, while also providing flexibility with the column grid. A steel structure was chosen to minimise the increased load on the existing structure. The lifts were relocated to the exterior of the building & enclosed in a vertical glass volume to express the building’s vertical movement while enlivening the Ultimo Pedestrian network. This created an open & contiguous floor plate. The services core is located along the eastern perimeter where it provides privacy between the office floor and the adjoining residential building, while allowing the prime views to be maximised. Located diagonally across from the new Frank Gehry UTS building, the design needed a strong presence. The architectural form reinterprets the semi-industrial linear forms of the historic Haymarket to create a contemporary building that respects the diverse scale and context of the area. The form is articulated into a series of seemingly random, stacked, horizontal volumes of varying heights. Each horizontal layer is expressed by a different solar shading system, creating a layered effect of stacked, linear boxes. The lobby is a transparent glass volume beneath the building, between the lifts and original building. A dramatic public artwork by Lucas Grogan on the building wall frames the lobby. The building has achieved a 5 Star Green Star rating, incorporating passive solar shading, and chilled beam cooling.
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180 Thomas Street, exterior 180 Thomas Street, façade detail 180 Thomas Street, exterior 180 Thomas Street, exterior 180 Thomas Street, façade detail Opposite page: 180 Thomas Street, exterior
“The Jury unanimously supports the Bates Smart design as the winner of the Design Excellence competition… The Jury believes that this solution alone achieves Design Excellence.” SYDNEY CITY EXCELLENCE COMPETITION Jury Report, 7 September 2011
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180 Thomas Street, lobby and ‘waterfall’ by Lucas Grogan 180 Thomas Street, lobby and ‘waterfall’ by Lucas Grogan Opposite page: 180 Thomas Street, entrance 180 Thomas Street, lobby
TRANSGRID HEAD OFFICE HAYMARKET
POWER PLAY The design for TransGrid’s new workspace took inspiration from the National Grid
TRANSGRID HEAD OFFICE HAYMARKET, SYDNEY As a national leader in the infrastructure sector, our client required no less than an aspirational workspace to promote collaboration, cohesion and increased transparency. This was a relocation project to unite previously dispersed business units into an equitable and collegiate work environment. Strategic briefing and image response sessions were extensive, and confirmed that the space had to satisfy demand for increased workplace flexibility without losing functional efficiency. Elements of fluidity, movement and illumination referenced in the design give a subtle nod to the national grid and TransGrid’s core business. The reception area is flanked by reclaimed timber poles (once TransGrid power poles) that connect wires vertically and horizontally, creating vistas through to the work areas.
With expansive floor plates it was possible to break down the space on both vertical and horizontal perspectives and thus allow business units to connect and yet be independent at the same time. An offset void and staircase across all three levels gives a backdrop of energy and movement; the void is framed by more timber battens from reclaimed timber power poles. A naturally ventilated wintergarden is located at the northern end of the building, its double height capitalising on premium views and light. This social and informal meeting place allows the business to come together as whole and is well used by the staff. The success of this project has been established in the way the staff have embraced their new workspace as well as connect with each other across the business. Silos have been removed, transparency increased and a greater sense of equality has been achieved.
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TransGrid, wintergarden TransGrid, meeting room TransGrid, meeting room TransGrid, workplace Opposite page: TransGrid, workplace
ISSUE 05/13
GANTRY CAMPERDOWN
CITYMAKING Creating a sense of place and diversity of accommodation was key to the success of this project
“With through site links, public plazas, shops and terrace houses, the Gantry invites the community in, creating a better space for everyone.” GUY LAKE Director, Bates Smart PICTURED
Gantry, courtyard and terraces Gantry, pedestrian mid block link looking west Opposite page: Gantry, Australia Street terraces with restored features of former 1920’s motor car works Gantry, Denison Street restored façade of former 1920’s Highbay motor car works
GANTRY CAMPERDOWN, SYDNEY The Gantry is a new residential neighbourhood in the Sydney suburb of Camperdown. It has won the Aaron Bolt Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing, awarded by the Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter 2014. Below is the jury citation. “Gantry is an exemplary response to the challenge of designing a large urban renewal project with significant site, environmental and cost constraints. Located on a busy arterial corridor, the site has a surrounding context of low-scale terrace housing and pre-war factories, and includes significant heritage fabric. “Beyond this, the project is a model for marketdriven residential development in contemporary inner urban Sydney. Urban fit, site planning, re-use of existing fabric, building modulation and communal spaces have all been expertly handled. The terraces and apartment types are highly varied, comfortably satisfy Residential Flat Design Code guidelines, and are pleasurable living spaces. The building forms and façades have been produced with modest, cost effective materials — carefully composed by an assured creative hand. “The project responds well to its varied contexts, ranging from five and six storey buildings on Denison Street and Parramatta Road, to two storey and attic terraces skillfully inserted behind the restored gabled façades of the former Fowlerware factory on Australia Street. “It demonstrates that an agreeable transition from public to private space can be achieved with a ‘built to boundary’ solution, in contrast to many contemporary apartment developments. “An innovative storm-water plenum between the basement car park and ground slab allows overland flow to run below the ground level across this low lying site, thereby avoiding a raised ground level or sunken courtyard. This has been skillfully integrated without loss of liveliness to the street. “Gantry is an exemplary demonstration of the singular contribution good architects can bring to city making within a commercial framework; particularly how this can be amplified when they are engaged for the entire development process.” JURY – Multiple Housing: Tony Caro (chair, Tony Caro Architecture), Philip Graus (Cox Richardson), Michael Zanardo (Studio Zanardo). PICTURED
Gantry, Denison Street apartment building Gantry, 1 bedroom study Gantry, 1 bedroom kitchen Gantry, 1 bedroom living and wintergarden Opposite page: Gantry, Australia Street with restored façades of former 1920’s motor car works Gantry, apartment building courtyard façade Gantry, pedestrian mid block link looking east
ISSUE 05/17
MCGRATHNICOL MELBOURNE
EXCELLENT ADVICE Working flexibly in a premium brand culture
MCGRATHNICOL MELBOURNE McGrathNicol is an independent boutique advisory firm specialising in advisory, forensic transaction services and corporate recovery. The vision for the new McGrathNicol workplace was for it to align more strongly with their brand, client experience and their employee culture. Relocating from the IBM Tower at Southbank to the inner CBD address of 171 Collins Street provided McGrathNicol the opportunity to be more accessible to their clients and further demonstrate their brand and culture, both externally and internally. Bates Smart used our understanding of 171 Collins Street’s architecture to create a workplace for McGrathNicol that ties into the base building aesthetic. The journey from the client entrance at the ground floor foyer, up to the McGrathNicol tenancy is seamless with the fitout adopting similar materials of travertine and stone.
The tenancy is a manifestation of the McGrathNicol brand and a premium client experience. It provides an exclusive client meeting and entertaining suite, opening onto the terrace. Co-locating all staff together on a single floor maximises the opportunities for improved connectivity, collaboration and flexibility. The work area is open, streamlined and flexible, with a range of collaboration and support facilities.
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McGrathNicol, meeting rooms McGrathNicol, kitchen Opposite page: McGrathNicol, reception McGrathNicol, workspace McGrathNicol, reception and waiting McGrathNicol, kitchen
IGLU CHATSWOOD
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Creative collaboration reaps rewards
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ISSUE 05/21
IGLU CHATSWOOD, SYDNEY IIglu Chatswood, a 396-bed student accommodation project opened in February 2014, in time for the new academic year. As his second project working with the Iglu team, Director Guy Lake reflects on the collaboration between Iglu and Bates Smart: “Working with Iglu is consistently rewarding. Creative collaboration is essential to find the optimum solution, particularly when you are trying to create a product with a real point of difference such as the Iglu model. There is a high level of trust and Iglu as a client are integral to the design team.� The 12-storey building presents as a series of stacked volumes that sit on a two storey terracotta base that provides warmth and a human scale to the street. The two lower levels of the building accommodate a range of indoor communal spaces that open onto a large landscaped courtyard where residents can meet and socialise. Internally off-form concrete, timber and terracotta provide a backdrop of raw natural materials with colour and texture introduced through fabric, rugs and furniture creating a relaxed atmosphere.
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Iglu, main entrance Iglu, lobby study area Iglu, lounge area Iglu, courtyard Previous page: Iglu, exterior
CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH SYDNEY
FORWARD THINKING The evolving legal workplace
CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH SYDNEY
ISSUE 05/24
Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s progressive new Sydney office at 8 Chifley is the first fully open and flexible office environment designed for a major law firm in Australia.
The result sees Corrs lawyers, including partners, forgo their traditional offices in favour of an open layout shared with executive assistants and junior lawyers within the ‘vertical villages’ of the 8 Chifley building.
Won by design competition, the project provided Bates Smart’s specialised workplace team with the opportunity to develop a future workplace concept aligned with the Corrs strategic vision.
Work stations are uniform throughout, enabling full flexibility for staff and partner locations. Storage is established in hierarchies to ensure ready access. High quality hospitality spaces are a major focus and the breakout spaces each village floor become the centre for team activities.
Bates Smart Studio Director, Brenton Smith, commented: “Bates Smart assisted Corrs through a change process to support a more flexible and mobile environment. A series of workshops was run with partners and teams within Corrs to gain a full understanding of their work practices and to investigate how the workplace could assist them in reaching their vision.”
Director Simon Swaney commented: “A new standard in legal workplaces has been set with the fitout at 8 Chifley. The design and fitout offers Corrs ultimate flexibility and changes the way they align themselves with their clients and other service professionals.”
“The organisation has been really energised by the whole move, by the connection, by the light, it has been a very positive experience� ROBERT REGAN Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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Corrs Chambers Westgarth, breakout Corrs Chambers Westgarth, workplace Corrs Chambers Westgarth, reception desk detail Corrs Chambers Westgarth, waiting Previous page: Corrs Chambers Westgarth, workplace and internal stair
EMMY MONASH AGED CARE Redefining aged care for the 21st century
EMMY MONASH AGED CARE CAULFIELD, MELBOURNE When complete in 2016, Emmy Monash Aged Care will be a high quality residential aged care facility designed for the Jewish community. Located on Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North with easy access to local amenity and surrounding neighbourhoods, the design has been carefully crafted to soften the visual appearance from adjoining properties. Through layering and weaving the residential forms, as well as providing substantial setbacks at higher levels, the overall mass of the development has been reduced, giving it a more domestic scale in keeping with the character of the surrounding neighbourhood. The new facility will include resident rooms that are significantly larger than the current industry standard, reflecting high quality design, furnishings and fittings. The use of internal courtyards and open central facilities allows natural light and solar access to penetrate the centre of the plan. The main dining rooms, lounge and activity areas have been strategically positioned in a north-south alignment to provide abundant natural light and to encourage a sense of calm and well-being. The higher levels allow panoramic views particularly towards the bay to the west. The new building will include 97 rooms designed to meet both low and high care resident needs, with suites on the top floor maximising views over Melbourne and Port Philip Bay. Each level will include a dining room, a multi-purpose activity room, and several lounges with views to internal landscaped courtyards. There will also be a number of shared spaces throughout the building open to all residents, including a synagogue, beauty salon, gym, multipurpose meeting space, cafe and shop, and outdoor landscaped gardens.
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Emmy Monash Aged Care, exterior Emmy Monash Aged Care, cafe
CHADSTONE SHOPPING CENTRE Activation of a principal activity centre
CHADSTONE SHOPPING CENTRE OFFICE AND HOTEL CHADSTONE, MELBOURNE Working closely with Colonial First State Retail Property Trust Group and the Gandel Group, Bates Smart has designed a new stage of the Chadstone Shopping Centre. As Chadstone is now recognised as a Principal Activity Centre in Plan Melbourne and the Stonnington Planning Scheme, the addition of a significant new office building and a possible new hotel will contribute to the vision of Melbourne as a polycentric city. This pattern will allow more people to work, shop and live within a 20 minute radius, a metric which is increasingly accepted as a target for sustainable urban living. The proposal introduces new convenience and urban efficiency into the Activity Centre, providing approximately 16,000sqm NLA of new workplace space with additional opportunity for a neighbouring hotel, conference and restaurant space. PICTURED
Chadstone Shopping Centre Office and Hotel, motor entrance Chadstone Shopping Centre Office and Hotel
Chadstone’s newly consolidated bus terminal is immediately adjacent to the proposed building, providing very convenient public transport access 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, with outlook maximised by the ovoid plan of the two buildings. The buildings are designed to be seen in the round, as free-standing organic objects. 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 landscaped setting.
464 COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE
TALL AND THIN Ground-breaking techniques achieve super slim structure
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464 Collins Street, view from Collins Street Opposite page: 464 Collins Street, south city elevation 464 Collins Street, aerial view 464 Collins Street, aerial view
464 COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE 464 Collins Street is a ultra slim tower that seeks to define a new live and work concept within Melbourne’s CBD. Located at the western end of Collins Street, the area is undergoing significant revitalisation and 464 is designed to enhance this end of Collins Street with a bold and elegant landmark building. Boutique office accommodation will dominate the lower levels, set within the refurbished historic Makers Mark building. The tower above will feature highly adaptable residential floors offering expansive views across Melbourne’s eastern CBD and Yarra River corridor. The narrow 11.5m wide site challenged the design process, resulting in a radically slender structure to be built from state-of-the-art insitu cast concrete construction techniques. Boasting 55 levels, the tower design is bolstered at level 10 by a dynamic 4m cantilever to the east. This emerges over the air rights of the adjoining historic NAB building and serves to break up the extent of façade, expressing the verticality of the scheme.
The west façade seeks to evoke a tactile quality featuring a dot matrix pattern that engages and impacts on its surroundings and acts as a unique attraction within the city. St James lane at the rear of the site incorporates an ingenious 12-level car stacking system which will be the largest of its kind in Australia. Serving as a functional element for residents, it is also an artistic expression due to the interactive art façade of LED lighting, enlivening the laneway to become a destination. The apartment layouts address the changing nature of workplace and apartment living. The apartment design allows for modularity and flexibility of layouts. Large operable walls allow for open plan ‘warehouse’ style spaces to be used as a workplace or partitioned off using operable walls to create separate bedroom spaces. The building is topped by resident amenities, providing gym and resident lounge with terraced area overlooking the city. The proposal for 464 Collins Street is for a true landmark tower, using cutting-edge construction technology with an elegant and refined design. Following a great deal of market interest, the property has been placed on the market by Equiset Grollo Group.
CITIES AND HEIGHT A Vision for Sydney in 2050. Essay by Philip Vivian
San Giminano, Italy
The Thames and the City, by Canaletto (1746)
with all our strength, with all our indignation .. to the erection of (these) useless and monstrous tower(s). To bring our arguments home imagine for a moment.. giddy, ridiculous tower(s) dominating ....like gigantic black smokestack(s).... stretching like a blot of ink (their) hateful shadow.” These words could easily sum up the reaction to the Sydney 2050 Visions. They are in fact the objection from a group of Parisian artists against the Eiffel Tower in 1886. Ironically the same words were used verbatim nearly 100 years later in protest against the Centre Pompidou. As we know both structures are now much loved by Parisians. Why is it then that change in a city, attracts so much criticism? Is it simply that anticipated change in the scale of a city and its buildings causes fear and distress?
— Cities have long been defined by their skylines, whether it be reaching for the heavens, or extending to the horizon. —
At the opposite end of the spectrum there are ‘Cities of Towers’. One immediately thinks of the archetypal modern tower cities of New York and Chicago, whose fascination in the early twentieth century with the new technology of steel frame construction and elevators resulted in the first modern high rise city skylines.
— There have of course been high-rise city skylines long before the modern era. — In the middle ages in San Gimignano the local merchants built towers on that hill town’s skyline as symbols of their power and wealth; while London’s skyline in the 1700’s was defined by the architecture of church spires, as was captivatingly portrayed in paintings by Canaletto. Hong Kong has long had a vertical skyline created through a combination of land scarcity and economic demand.
— Today, a new breed of city is defining itself on the global landscape through their skyline. — The Asian Tiger economies are declaring their ascendency through height of their skylines. Shanghai’s Pudong was a rice paddy only 30 years ago. Today it has dozens of high-rise buildings and boasts three of the tallest buildings in the world. Between these two extremes there are many other ways for a city to define its skyline. Some cities have chosen public monuments to limit their height. The height of Philadelphia’s skyline was limited by the common agreement not to surpass the height of the city founder, William Penn’s statue atop the city hall. This self imposed height limit was only exceeded in the mid-1980’s. In London a ‘View Management Framework’ was created to protect views to historic monuments, particularly St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, from various locations around London, enshrining the historic dominance of these public buildings. Not dissimilarly Sydney’s skyline has its height restricted to the underside of the Centre Point Tower, to maintain the landmark status of this tower designed in the 1970’s. While this tower was at the time the focal point on the Sydney skyline, one can see how after 45 years the city skyline is tending toward a horizontal expression as a result of this restriction.
City of London, United Kingdom
“WE...PROTEST
Throughout history we can think of ‘Level Cities’ created by their restriction of height either through circumstance or regulation. New York in the 1800’s had its height limited by the reach of a fireman’s ladder for public safety; while in Paris Baron von Haussmann defined the street wall and mansard height of new boulevards through the city. Even the island paradise of Bali, while experiencing a growth boom in the 1970’s limited the maximum height of new structures to not exceed the height of a palm tree.
— We believe that if Sydney is to maintain its status as a global city it must have aspirations beyond a 1970’s landmark. — As Sydney grows it is simply not sustainable to continue the outward sprawl of the city, thus we must look at increasing density. The central CBD is highly constrained by the harbour to the north and west, parklands to the east, and Central Station to the south; thus it is clear that additional growth must be accommodated by additional height. The question is how to distribute the height, and in effect reimagine the skyline. Some cities have opted for a centralised ‘clustering’ of height, such as Shanghai’s Pudong or the City of London. Other cities have a linear expression of height, such as Jakarta where high-rises follow the motorways. Sydney’s skyline currently reinforces the lineal topography of headland.
Our vision for Sydney 2050 was developed around the idea of linking the city’s economic development to the public benefit of a sustainable transport network. To be sustainable with an increased density we believe Sydney needs a fully functioning Rapid Transit system, providing transport throughout the inner ring.
— We proposed that the existing heavy rail network service the outer ring suburbs, and continues express to the city centre. It would be complimented by a Rapid Transit system that services the city centre and the inner ring suburbs. —
To directly link development to this sustainable transport network, supertall buildings are allowed within 200m of a Metro station in the city centre. This will create a city form and skyline that is directly linked to and celebrates its transport system. On the skyline this creates a city form of ‘hills and valleys’. Interestingly Centre Point maintains its presence on the skyline in a valley. Financially we propose that the economic uplift of additional floor space for supertall developments above the current height limit is directly linked to providing this sustainable transport system, through the purchase of ‘supertall floor space’ from the State Government. Revenue raised through the sale of this ‘supertall floor space’ will be used to fund the Metro system by retiring Government infrastructure debts over time. In addition we recognise that the amenity of cities is vital for people’s well-being, however protection of amenity should not prohibit economic development. For instance sunlight to public spaces is important, however we believe this needs to be balanced with the need for economic development. For instance the Centre Point Tower was allowed to overshadow Hyde Park.
— Sydney proposed skyline 2054
CBD raised zones
In a similar vein we are proposing a relaxation of the current prohibition of overshadowing by allowing a defined maximum of 1 hour of shadow on public spaces for supertall buildings. — This control will influence the width of supertall buildings as well as their distance from public spaces and parks. Bates Smart have quantified these principles in a parametric model of the city to create a future vision of Sydney if height limits were increased and supertall floor space sold to pay for Sydney’s Rapid Transit system.
The vision allows for a potential 12.5 million square metres of additional floor space. Using the current value of Heritage Floor Space as a benchmark, and compounding its value over 35 years Bates Smart estimates this realises $7.1 Billion to fund a sustainable transport network.
— We believe that even with supertall buildings Sydney will maintain its beauty, romance and importantly its status as a Global city. — For Sydney to be sustainable while allowing for increased density it needs a fully integrated transport system. Bates Smart’s proposal is for future supertall development in the city to fund this sustainable transport system.
A new Metro system is proposed that services the inner ring suburbs of Sydney, while the existing heavy rail network will service outer ring suburbs then go express through the inner ring to the city centre. We have proposed that the provision of a sustainable public transport system will be directly linked to economic development in the CBD. Increased floor space for supertall buildings will be bought from the government to pay for a Rapid Transit system, in a similar manner to the trading of Heritage Floor Space. By linking transport and floor space the morphology of the city starts to follow the transport network. We have estimated the value of economic development in the city above the LEP height limit. The total GFA above the current LEP is 4.8m sqm, which will be sold as supertall GFA. Using the current value of Heritage Floor Space as a benchmark, and compounding its value over 35 years to 2050 Bates Smart estimates this realizes $7.1 Billion for NSW to fund a sustainable transport network. We have put these concepts together and tested them in the Sydney CBD to get a vision of what the city might look like in 2050.
Sydney 2050 by Bates Smart
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KLIFD TOWER KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
SIGNATURE TOWER Transforming Kuala Lumpur’s identity as a global financial centre
KLIFD TOWER KULALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA Bates Smart’s Sydney studio was invited to participate in an international design competition for a signature tower in the new Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD), since renamed Tan Rusuk Exchange. Two kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), the development has the potential to transform Kuala Lumpur’s identity as a global financial centre, with the tower acting as a beacon for the entire development. Bates Smart Director, Philip Vivian talks about the Sydney studio’s design proposal: “Our design integrates current workplace thinking, creating three large highly interconnected workspaces, with hubs at the natural intersection of circulation and form. The resulting floorplate is flexible, efficient, and designed for financial services firms in today’s knowledge economy. “The 380m tall triangular geometry responds to the masterplan axis, and sits comfortably within the KLIFD parkland while maximising views of Kuala Lumpur and hills beyond. “Inspired by the growth patterns of bamboo, the organic triangular form is highly efficient in terms of wind shear, creating a cost effective structure. The environmental approach is integral to the architecture, with a layered façade reducing heat load and glare, while recalling traditional architecture.” The building elegantly tapers to create an omnidirectional iconic profile on the skyline, its warm soft glassy image theatrically interacting with the Petronas Towers to create a uniquely Malaysian skyline. This building’s timeless design will be attractive and adaptable to the needs of tenants through the next century. The design is now shortlisted with designs from SOM and Foster + Partners from an original field of twelve.
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KLIFD Tower, public viewing gallery KLIFD Tower, sky lobby KLIFD Tower, public viewing gallery Opposite page: KLIFD Tower, tower
BATES SMART SYDNEY STUDIO SURRY HILLS
WORK IN PROGRESS Bates Smart’s own studio had to be nothing less than outstanding
BATES SMARTS STUDIO 43 BRISBANE STREET, SURRY HILLS, SYDNEY Project Director, Guy Lake talks about the new Sydney home for Bates Smart. “Several years passed before we found the right space for the new Bates Smart studio, so it was no wonder that our design team felt the pressure to deliver an outstanding outcome. Failure wasn’t an option. “Originally a film exchange for Twentieth Century Fox, 43 Brisbane Street was completed in 1940 by architects T.W. Hodgson & Sons. It is a building with a rich history, lots of character and art deco features of a restrained inter-war functionalist style. An abundance of natural light and proximity to the city were just two of the added attractions. “As work with our clients is increasingly collaborative, the client experience was a key organising principle for the layout. Visitors arrive into a generous space in the centre of the studio with the idea that they are immersed in the business from the moment they walk in the door. The threshold between front and back of house has been removed. A long table forms both a reception desk and informal meeting space. Formal meeting rooms and the purpose built model-making room read as refined and highly crafted objects within the space. “Directors sit together in the centre of the studio and linear workbenches allow for team sizes to be varied. Increased collaboration space supports a fast paced studio with many projects requiring a fluid team response. The breakout space island bench functions as a meeting table, dining table and of course as a popular bar on Friday nights.”
ISSUE 05/38
“We rely on many minds to do what we do, so a collaborative space was a high priority” SIMON SWANEY Director, Bates Smart
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Bates Smart Sydney, kitchen / breakout Bates Smart Sydney, reception and meeting room Bates Smart Sydney, studio Bates Smart Sydney, meeting room
ISSUE 05/39
CHE PROXIMITY PRAHRAN
SOCIAL NETWORK A fresh take on workplace CHE PROXIMITY PRAHRAN, MELBOURNE The brief for CHE Proximity’s workplace called for a modern environment that is connected to ‘now’, tying into the immediacy, connectivity and availability of data in today’s world.
To better connect the agency across the two-level tenancy, the fitout incorporates a new stair linking the reception and hub on level 9 to a smaller breakout on the floor below.
Our clients desired a modern and simple workplace creating a powerful backdrop to the energy of the advertising agency. Unlike most other agencies CHE Proximity has an in-house data analytics team which drives the generation of intelligent, data-led solutions. Their unique positioning is focused around the agency philosophy of ‘Creative Intelligence’.
The move from a converted warehouse into a corporate office on Chapel Street allowed the workplace to be broken down into district neighbourhood zones without restricting expansion and contraction of teams. The environment ultimately encourages staff collaboration and connectivity between groups and modulates the workspace to represent the unique needs and identities of the varied departments.
To meet the brief, the reception, hub and bar are one open space, the ‘epicentre’ of activity and energy, and the heart of the agency. This space is utilised for meetings, presentations, staff gatherings and client entertaining and opens up to the landscaped external terrace.
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CHE Proximity, reception, meeting areas, breakout and kitchen
CANBERRA AIRPORT HOTEL CANBERRA
FIRST CLASS GEOMETRY A new hotel for Canberra and a new gateway to the airport terminal
CANBERRA AIRPORT HOTEL CANBERRA This competition-winning design is located at the gateway to the new Canberra International Airport. Inspired by the geometry of Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for Canberra, Bates Smart’s concept combines circular and axial geometries into a unique form. The circular geometries allow the building to be read in the round, responding to the sites multiple approach and vantage points. The larger end contains a dramatic full height circular atrium. A restaurant, bar, and lounges at the base of the atrium create a social focus for the hotel. The circular theme is echoed throughout the building in the façade and interior detailing. Containing 180 rooms, restaurant and conference facilities, this hotel is due for completion 2015. PICTURED
Canberra Airport Hotel, lobby interior Canberra Airport Hotel, guestroom interior Canberra Airport Hotel, exterior
555 COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE
555 Twinned expression celebrating diversity 555 COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE 555 Collins Street occupies a key position in the Melbourne CBD overlooking Southbank and the Yarra River. The scheme, located on the corner of King and Collins Streets, seeks to become one of Melbourne’s future authentic mixed use developments that celebrates diversity. It will be a place where people can truly work, live and play within a mix of office space, residential apartments and hotel environment. The design aims to channel the vibrancy and energy of its CBD location all the way up the height of the tower like intertwining ribbons. The tower design is split into two intersecting rectilinear forms. These work in a north-south direction to adhere to Melbourne’s historic north-south land plots. The twinned expression of the tower also aims to reduce the vertical mass of the development and accentuate the elegant, transforming and vertical nature of the building. To reduce the effects of the wind loads on such a tall building, the form has been softened and anchors the building firmly into the site.
The façade of the building features a combination of soft transitioning forms that create openings for the office, hotel and residential apartments. The proportion and size of openings vary strategically to reflect the building’s internal function; opening to important views and registering key datums of the surrounding context. The result is an interesting play of patterning which creates an additional layer of complexity and interest. As the openings vary and create shadow, the softness and movement of the building form is accentuated. At street level, the whole corner will be animated with activity as each use of the building has a dedicated entrance and 24 hour concierge service will be available. The escalators continue to level 1 where the restaurant and hotel amenities are located. Although run by the hotel, these uses are effectively additional amenity to the public. These escalators are intentionally located adjacent to the walkway easement as the vertical movement of the escalators will help activate the space and provide passive surveillance to create a safer connection to the back of the site. PICTURED
555 Collins Street, view across Yarra River Opposite page: 555 Collins Street, exterior view of tower 555 Collins Street, aerial view
PROBUILD MELBOURNE Having delivered their Sydney workplace a few years prior, Bates Smart were pleased to once again partner with construction company Probuild to consolidate their Melbourne operations across three floors in St Kilda Road. The consolidation of Probuild, Monaco Hickey and Contexx into the one central office created the opportunity to undertake a thorough briefing process with key stakeholders to understand the company values and how these could be demonstrated throughout the fitout. The new workplace palette consists of honest and authentic construction materials of concrete, timber, clear and tinted glass and black metal framing, also taking cues from the Probuild Sydney office. The space encourages collaboration and communication between teams and allows for future growth. Built zones were positioned adjacent to the side core leaving a clean open floor plan adjacent to the perimeter glazing. The open plan workspace was designed with a strategy for flexibility and growth with informal meeting tables in place of future workstations. The reception and client areas including the boardroom, meeting rooms and kitchen are located on level 10 with views over St Kilda Road and Wesley College with the staff hub and meeting rooms on both levels positioned to take advantage of views overlooking Albert Park. The central built zone housing meeting rooms, quiet rooms and production and support facilities are made up of a series of timber boxes offering varied levels of opacity depending on the function of the space. Some boxes use timber slatted screens placed in front of tinted glass to allow natural light penetration from the perimeter glazing through the space.
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Probuild, boardroom Probuild, kitchen Probuild, corridor Probuild, reception ISSUE 05/46
PROBUILD MELBOURNE
MATERIAL THINKING Raw and honest materials, polished and refined outcome
RYDE GARDEN RYDE
PARK LIFE Above all else the landscape is integral to this development
RYDE GARDEN RYDE, SYDNEY The Ryde Garden development has been conceived as a family of buildings, set around generous parks and public spaces. The project aims to combine simple passive design strategies and well detailed faรงade elements to deliver excellent residential amenity to future occupants. Integrating the landscape into the development is the driving force behind this project which offers 830 apartments and 1,100 sqm of non-residential space. In conjunction with Aspect studios, Bates Smart have delivered expansive public spaces including a park set on axis with North Ryde Station. Other landscape elements also include a lap pool, private communal rooftop gardens and more intimate communal courtyards. An exciting collaboration with several artists is underway to develop bespoke artworks that are integral to the fabric of the built form. The faรงades of the building have been conceived in direct response to the differing environmental orientations and outlooks. A palette of tonal materials is proposed to accentuate the overall faรงade composition whilst creating a warm urban interface to the newly created public spaces. The environmental credentials of the development are strong, with strategies developed to deliver high levels of solar access and cross ventilation. In combination with other environmental strategies the project will also achieve formal Greenstar accreditation.
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Ryde Garden, skyline view Ryde Garden, penthouse master bedroom and ensuite Ryde Garden, bedroom viewed from penthouse terrace Ryde Garden, entry lobby and podium terrace apartments viewed from central park Opposite page: Ryde Garden, exterior Ryde Garden, pool
UNSW KENSINGTON COLLEGES SYDNEY
SMART NEW DIGS The use of brick provides a playful expression of colour, texture, light and shade
TYPICAL FLOORPLAN
UNSW KENSINGTON COLLEGES SYDNEY The UNSW Kensington Colleges won an Architecture award in the AIA NSW Chapter 2014 Awards. Below is the jury citation. “Student accommodation is a distinct type of multiple housing, responding to the common needs of a diverse demographic of occupants. “UNSW Kensington Colleges create an ensemble of communities for over 900 students. Four of the five colleges are new. These colleges are organised around central courtyards, each with communal kitchens and living spaces. Balconies are shared by groups of four suites. Communal roof terraces provide broad views over Randwick Racecourse to the city. “The buildings are well connected to the surrounding campus, and have resolved the site’s steep level changes and public interface on High Street with great skill. The architecture is singular design idea to invest its broad elevations with human scale. Alternate floors have opposed serrated plans, resulting in strong sculptural plasticity to the façades. Windows are scattered in an offset pattern that adds vibrancy and variety. Each college is given its own identity by a graphic patterning of brightly coloured glazed bricks interspersed through a light clinker brick base. “Bates Smart is known for its careful, restrained and beautifully executed work, and this project is no exception. These qualities sit easily with Goldstein College and the strong landscape character of this part of the campus.” JURY – Multiple Housing: Tony Caro (chair, Tony Caro Architecture), Philip Graus (Cox Richardson), Michael Zanardo (Studio Zanardo).
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Kensington Colleges, apartment balconies Kensington Colleges, central courtyard Kensington Colleges, seniors college viewed from Goldstein Hall Kensington Colleges, mid block pedestrian link Previous page: Kensington Colleges, central courtyard
SECTION
“Avoiding fashion and excess, this project will stand the test of time.” AIA NSW CHAPTER AWARDS JURY 2014
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Kensington Colleges, Colombo House colonnade Kensington Colleges, external façade Kensington Colleges, university teaching space Kensington Colleges, Figtree Hall common room Opposite page: Kensington Colleges, central courtyard
SITE 68 Where city meets nature
SITE 68 SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK, SYDNEY Bates Smart won an invited design competition for a new residential tower, at Sydney Olympic Park. The site is located on the edge between Olympic Park & Bicentennial Park; or where the city meets nature. It is also an entry marker or gateway to Olympic Park. The 34 storey tower contains 378 apartments and a series of dramatic vertical communal sky gardens providing environmental & residential amenity benefits. 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. This is the third residential tower undertaken by the practice at Sydney Olympic Park.
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Site 68, tower and bridge Site 68, night view of tower
PARRAMATTA SQUARE City-making
PARRAMATTA SQUARE, STAGES 5 + 6 SYDNEY A recent two stage International Design Competition for two new commercial office towers in the Parramatta Square Development saw the Bates Smart team, led by Philip Vivian, shortlisted to the final four from seventy-seven entries. Philip Vivian commented on the team’s approach: “Parramatta Square is the city’s greatest urban redevelopment opportunity. A collection of iconic buildings will not make Parramatta Square a vibrant place. Instead we were interested in the potential for these buildings to contribute to the public life of Parramatta Square, with a fine grain of laneways and public spaces. These are the ‘negative’ spaces that weave together to create a city, be they lanes, streets or plazas.” Our design focused on the ability of these buildings to compliment the Aspire Tower, rather than compete with it, as well as reinforcing their location in the city of Parramatta. The aim was to create great design without formal or structural gymnastics. Bates Smart created highly flexible floor plates based on a central core typology. With long spans, these floor plates offer the market all the advantages of a side core’s flexible open space, while having increased flexibility for sub division and leasing. We have used a known building typology and construction methodology to ensure that our design can be realised cost effectively. These factors combined, create a commercially desirable design for a developer, and an attractive offer for tenants.
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Parramatta Square, towers Parramatta Square, main entry
BENDIGO HOSPITAL BENDIGO
REGIONAL REWARD State-of-the-art facilities, community care
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Bendigo Hospital, exterior Bendigo Hospital, main entry
ISSUE 05/59
BENDIGO HOSPITAL BENDIGO, VICTORIA The $630 million new Bendigo Hospital will be the largest regional hospital development in Victoria. The project covers over 99,000sqm, including new hospital of 81,000sqm, a 17,100sqm multi-deck car park and conference centre and 530sqm bridge link. It will deliver a world-class regional health facility that features the latest design and technology solutions, in one of the state’s most environmentally sustainable settings. The project will create a tranquil and caring environment for staff, patients and visitors through the integration of architecture, landscaping, health planning and evidence-based design. The design celebrates the hospital precinct’s history, its future expansion and the consolidation of existing facility. The main focus of the project is the new hospital building which takes its cues from Bendigo’s architectural vernacular in its historic and natural context, and combines them with a holistic approach to health care. Our goal has been the creation of a significant civic building which promotes health; not only on a physical level, but also with Bendigo’s social and cultural wellbeing in mind. This is achieved through the integration of architectural and landscape elements that are interactive and connected. The direct correlation to nature — whether in the form of distant landscape views, external gardens, internal courtyards or landscaped roof and planted screens — is an important aspect of the hospital as a place of healing. We believe contemporary hospitals are not simply the destinations designed to treat illness. They are places that promote wellness, serve as important community centres, specialist treatment centres and large scale educational facilities. It is proven that well integrated external spaces lead to improvements in a patient’s health status and recovery from illness, fostering health (in the broadest sense of the word), as well as providing benefits to visitors, workers, patients and the community. The new hospital is due for completion at the end of 2016 and is a public-private partnership between the Exemplar Consortium with Department of Health Victoria.
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Bendigo Hospital, interior sketch Bendigo Hospital, main street
“The internal street is the heart of the hospital: an open, warm and flexible space that seeks to provide order and calm, celebrating natural light for patients, visitors and staff.� KRISTEN WHITTLE Director, Bates Smart
CREDITS EDITORS + DESIGNERS
Cornwell Jeffery Copolov Jane Foley Peta Michaelides Amanda Rogers PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VISUALISERS
Brett Boardman Peter Bennetts Peter Clarke Richard Glover Nikolay Pechovski Ian Potter Jung Soo Kim Shannon McGrath Richard Wong Floodslicer
This publication is printed with vegetable-based inks on paper stock that is manufactured using elemental chlorine-free pulp sourced from plantation grown timbers. Both printer and paper manufacturer are accredited to ISO 14001, the internationally recognised standard for environmental management
Published November 2014.
BATES SMART Architecture Interior Design Urban Design Strategy For 161 years, Bates Smart has been at the forefront of practice in Australia, delivering projects around the world from their studios in Melbourne and Sydney. Bates Smart has an unparalleled reputation for the design and delivery of architecture, interior design and urban design projects. Specialising in commercial, residential, hospitality, health and research projects, Bates Smart has specific skills in dealing with larger and more complex projects with particular experience in mixed use buildings. No project can attain brilliance without a great founding idea. At Bates Smart our projects are brought to life through a rigorous, astute, and highly creative design approach working in collaboration with our clients. Our reputation for design excellence is founded on a disciplined intellectual base. We develop a thorough understanding of the design opportunities offered by each individual project, and we create design solutions which speak directly to the challenge. Almost uniquely, we address all design issues simultaneously through collaborative teams of architects and interior designers working in concert. From urban and faรงade design to perfecting finegrain interior details, Bates Smart crafts seamless holistic solutions. We pay special attention to the environmental performance and long-term durability of our buildings. We harness proven sustainable principles and technologies in order to create buildings that stand the test of time. Our talented team of over 200 is constantly developing its capacity to produce outstanding results around the world. We invest in the latest tools for global teamwork, and maintain an expanding network of collaborators whose special skills complement our own.
OFFICES MELBOURNE 1 Nicholson Street Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia Telephone +61 3 8664 6200 Facsimile +61 3 8664 6300 Contact jcopolov@batessmart.com SYDNEY 43 Brisbane Street Surry Hills, NSW 2010 Australia Telephone +61 2 8354 5100 Facsimile +61 2 8354 5199 Contact sswaney@batessmart.com www.batessmart.com