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A new commercial office building can sometimes be more than just a place to work – it can also be an integral component in future development of its surrounding area. That’s the projected outcome for No.1 Sylvia Park in Auckland and VicRoads in Melbourne, both of which feature in this issue of Commercial Design Trends. We also showcase two campus facilities for architectural students, in which the buildings themselves plays as much a part in the education process as lectures and studio projects do. Plus we’ve tapped into expert advice and opinion for our two market sector reports – one considering the key themes driving the nature of both entertainment venues and fan experiences in the stadium of the future, and the other exploring what makes a workplace a well place. All Commercial Design Trends content – and much more – can also be accessed online at trendsideas.com Head there now to use our extensive online resource of top local and international projects and products. David Johnson Chairman and Publisher
HIGHLIGHTS Editorial Director Paul Taylor – paul.taylor@trendsideas.com Sales Judy Johnson – judy.johnson@trendsideas.com Leslie Johnson – leslie.johnson@trendsideas.com Akansha Bhatnagar – akansha.bhatnagar@trendsideas.com
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Sculptural, dynamic and responsive to its setting, the new VicRoads building is the leading light in the resurgence of Melbourne’s Sunshine district. Go to trendsideas.com for more commercial office projects.
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The rethink of an existing building for an accounting practice brings drama to the interiors and gives them life and colour – key surfaces are in Resene paint. See more from Resene at trendsideas.com
The Westpac head office achieves a highly coveted 5 Star Green Star rating – high performance air diffusion products from Temperzone played a key role. Find more about Temperzone at trendsideas.com
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CONTENTS
Highlights from this issue of Commercial Design Trends
No.1 Sylvia Park, Auckland
VicRoads building, Melbourne
IAG, Sylvia Park, Auckland
Imperatori Design, Montreal
Westpac New Zealand, Christchurch
Wellness in the modern offiice
Thomas P Murphy Design Studio, Miami
SDE4, Singapore
Stadium of the future
SECTION FOCUS COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
IT’S A WRAP Commercial office buildings don’t have to be boring glass boxes. Here are two that make their mark through striking sculptural facade design
Project No.1 Sylvia Park, Auckland
Developer: Kiwi Property
Architect: Architectus
NICELY PACKAGED As the first stage of evolving Sylvia Park from a retail and entertainment centre to a fully fledged mixed-use development, No.1 Sylvia Park office building has been wrapped in eye-catching facades – like a beautifully packaged purchase
Go to a large shopping centre on a Saturday
Sylvia Park operation are still trading well.
morning and it may take a while to find a decent parking space. So how does that square up with
“People are social and they still want to get out from behind their computers and have real life
the repeated pronouncements that bricks-and-
experiences and interactions,” he says. “But there has to be a reason to go to a centre,
mortar retail is dead? Add to that the amount of investment going into improving and expanding major shopping centres around the country, and it’s obvious some developers have a more lively view of the future of retail. Greg Tolley, development manager at Kiwi Property, says that there’s a flight to quality, and that good shopping centres such as the company’s
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so there needs to be a mix of facilities including retail, food and beverage, movies, gyms and specialist outlets such as optometrists.” Now there’s another reason for some people to head to Sylvia Park – for work – with the completion of office building No.1 Sylvia Park on the site. “We’ve always had aspirations for Sylvia Park to
Previous pages and these pages:Architectus’ design of the first commercial office building at Sylvia Park incorporates striking facade treatments that give the building a prominent presence at the epicentre of the shopping centre site. While retaining the continuity of black and white striations, the facades transition from being relatively solid on the south side, next to the motorway, to highly transparent on the north face, to take in the views.
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Facing page and above:Alternating black and white projections on the south facade end in bay windows that give glimpses of traffic on the motorway running parallel to this facade. Vertically positioned sunshade elements continue the distinctive colour theme on the more transparent east facade.
be more than just a shopping centre and to be a mixed-use centre – the first component being this office building.” Tolley says that given its position on the site, No.1 Sylvia Park needed to have prominence and create a sense of arrival. “It also had to integrate into the existing centre – we didn’t want it to be like an island, isolated from the retail facilities.” The task of designing the 10-storey building to meet these requirements fell to Architectus. Principal in charge, Severin Soder, says the
process started with a master plan for Kiwi Property’s future development concept of all the Sylvia Park site and then focussed on the position and design of this first new building – a commercial office building. “We looked at several options for where to place the building, and decided that it should be at the epicentre of the shopping centre,” says Soder. At this point, the existing dining lane had ended in a landscaped plaza and small carpark. “We extended the dining lane with three new food and beverage outlets on the ground floor, and
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developed the office building above those.” This north side of the site now forms The Grove
envelope and how we could wrap and package it.” The result is a building with four distinct facades.
dining precinct, including grassed and landscaped areas for public use, and a quirky sound shell by
But these are not just decorative, surface treatments – instead they are integral to the design and
Wraight & Associates that opens to provide a stage
functioning of the building.
for entertainers, and provides a wind break function. Soder says No.1 Sylvia Park needed to be
To gain as much space as possible for the new dining precinct, the building was pushed as close
designed as a landmark building rather than the typical office park building.
as possible to the south of the site, adjacent to the motorway overpass running in an east-west direction.
“It’s in a retail environment – with a lot of fashion
“So we placed the core on the south side, and
retail. When you buy something like perfume, it comes in a beautiful bottle and is wrapped with
this facade is quite solid with few openings. But it has strong black and white projections forming bay
beautiful packaging. “The building itself is cuboid, and we looked at the
windows looking east and west to pick up on the directional movement of the traffic.”
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Below:The north facade is a fully glazed curtain wall, with horizontal black and white sun louvres. Three food and beverage outlets at ground floor help integrate the new building into the centre’s existing dining options. Facing page:A grassed and landscaped plaza on the north side of No.1 Sylvia Park provides an attractive outdoor public space, as well as being a venue for entertainment.
The east and west facades are more transparent, having more windows. The striated effect continues
top of each other pushing light into the floors. Inter-tenancy stairs suspended in each of the
here through the addition of vertical sunshades to counter the effect of low sun.
atria create a strong sculptural focus and provide an attractive alternative to using a lift linking multi-
“The north facade transitions again to become
level tenants.
even more transparent. Behind this facade’s horizontal black and white sunshades is a fully glazed
Greg Tolley says Kiwi Property’s drive to mixed use is fuelled by the symbiotic relationship between
curtain wall, giving outlooks to Mt Wellington.” The result is a building with abstract qualities,
the building’s tenants and centre’s retailers. And No.1 Sylvia Park is just the first building in
and a different appearance as you travel round it.
the wider plan for future development of the site.
There’s as much thought gone into the interior planning as the exterior activation of the building.
“We’re investigating a hotel in the mid term and residential living options beyond that. Further, our
The large open floor plates are organised to create vertical villages, with three atria stacked on
proposed 25-year masterplan includes additional future commercial buildings and retail facilities.”
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Project:No.1 Sylvia Park, Auckland Developer/owner:Kiwi Property Group Architect:Architectus Project management: Pragmatix Limited Construction:Dominion Constructors Civil engineer:Aecom Consulting Structural Engineer Holmes Consulting Group Mechanical and electrical :Norman Disney & Young Quantity surveyor:Rider Levett Bucknall Landscaping:Wraight & Associates Fire consultant:On Fire Lift services:Schindler Cladding:North facade – Thermosash Curtain Wall Glazing & Sunshades; east and west facades – Thermosash windows, Concretec precast concrete; Insol – aluminium fins, panels and louvres
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Roofing:Rooflogic Ultratherm MSR and Extreme, by SWP Commercial Security system:Trak Public area flooring:European Ceramics Atlanic Stone, installed by European Stone Masons Public area wallcoverings:Florim Magnum Porcelain from European Ceramics; Oak Tora from Vidaspace Lobby ceiling:Armstong Metalworks; Insol custom ceiling Paints:Resene paints and plasters; Dulux powdercoats Heating/air conditioning:A E Smith Story by Paul Taylor Photography by Jamie Cobel
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These pages With a cafe and a variety of seating options available, No.1 Sylvia Park’s lobby offers tenants another potential meeting place outside of their own offices. The sculptural gold spiral staircase gives easy access to the first floor tenants and their visitors, while the colourful wall hanging is intended to be changed regularly in the future to give the space a continued fresh look.
Sylvia Park - No.1 & The Grove Dominion Constructors have worked with Kiwi Properties to deliver the prestigious office tower at No.1 Sylvia Park together with the redevelopment & enhancement of the dining lane, now known as The Grove. enquiries@constructors.co.nz www.constructors.co.nz
Commercial - Residential Hospitality - Interiors - Retail
Project VicRoads building
Location: Sunshine, Melbourne
Architect: Gray Puksand
LEADING PRESENCE Sculptural, dynamic and responsive to its setting, the new VicRoads building is the leading light in the resurgence of Melbourne’s Sunshine district
Sunshine is a suburb of Melbourne that has been under-developed and languishing over recent years. However, the new VicRoads building offers a key component to the regeneration of the suburb. Adjacent to the Sunshine Railway Station, the seven-level building was designed by architects Gray Puksand for developer Crestwood Park. The VicRoads building stands tall as the first-comer in a retail strip that will provide the catalyst for the redevelopment of the entire precinct to a priority zone within the Melbourne metropolitan area, says Gray Puksand’s partner in charge Nik Tabain. “Located on a critical axis and a prominent island site, the building was designed to be viewed from all sides. The dynamic shapes of the white pre-cast concrete façade were inspired by the continuous look of a circuit board and also provide a sense of flowing roads – a nod to the naming and principle
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tenant, VicRoads,” says Tabain. Plus, the façade flares out to the west and east of the building, creating a sense of openness and activity on these important pedestrian frontages. While texture and form play an integral part in softening the impact of the building’s scale on the landscape, it was the significant eucalyptus tree in the adjacent carpark and the acknowledgement of gum trees that would have been in the area prior to Sunshine’s development as a residential and industrial precinct, that inspired the vibrant colours selected for the powdercoated sunshades. “The tree’s sheer size and importance to the local community also meant the building had to be set back from the title line to protect its roots,” Tabain says. “This solution was key to enhancing a sense of arrival for staff and visitors, reinforces the notion of movement and robustness, and results in
Previous pages:Standing seven-levels tall, the new VicRoads building is a strong, sculptural tower that leads the way for further redevelopments in Melbourne’s Sunshine district.
a more pedestrian-friendly environment generally.” With no parking underground, most of the
large staircase penetrates the floorplate. “We designed the stair to loosely echo the
bottom two floors of the building is car parking. These levels are clad in a band of perforated grey
forms on the exterior of the building,” says Tabain. “Perforated aluminium sheeting on the bannisters
mesh that naturally cross ventilate the spaces.
and upstairs surround provides privacy and an
Left:With no room for a podium, a lifted corner ‘canopy’ brings street engagement for the tower.
With no room to mitigate the size of the building with a podium, the architects instead raised up the
attractive shadow play.” Besides its colourful cladding blades, the
entry corner of the building as a welcoming canopy. VicRoads has a retail store at ground level
VicRoads building is green in another way, too. Natural cross ventilation, a wealth of bicycle parks
and occupy the two mid floors of the building.
and six shower facilities all add to its sustainable
To activate the two levels of offices and avoid a separate culture developing between floors, a
credentials, as does the rigorous sourcing of low VOC materials, finishes and furniture throughout.
Below:Vibrant anodised louvres echo the foliage of the prominent gum tree adjacent to the site.
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Previous pages and right:An ornate stair between the VicRoads’ mid-level office floors echoes aspects of the VicRoads building’s dynamic facade. The perforated aluminium screens on the stair bannisters are continued on the upstairs balustrade. Facing page top:An apt photo mural provides colour and privacy in the naming tenant’s offices. Facing page lower:Lockers provide a personal base for staff in the fluid office environment.
Project:VicRoads building, Sunshine, Melbourne Architect:Gray Puksand; partner in charge – Nik Tabain, project leader – John Pinkerton Developer:Crestwood Park Feature finish:Woodford Architectural Wall tiles:Ceramic Paint:Dulux Laminate:Laminex Carpet:Shaw Contract, Classic Architectural Ceilings:Armstrong Kitchen appliances:Panasonic, Haier, Westinghouse Fixtures:Hafele, Hettich, Astra Walker
Pendant and feature lighting About Space, Luxxbox Furniture: Task chairs – Kronos highback from Balance Interiors; Tub chairs from Stylecraft; Relm stools; Zenith tables; Tambour cabinets by Planex; lecturns by Lecturn Australia; shelving by Dexion; Excel Lockers Plants:Zants Plants Story by Charles Moxham Photography by Tatjana Plitt
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SECTION FOCUS WORKPLACE DESIGN
WELLBEING TAKES FLIGHT Even in increasingly technology-filled office environments, it’s the human centric approach that ultimately drives job satisfaction – and so productivity
Project IAG
Location: No.1 Sylvia Park, Auckland
Interior designer: Unispace
Base-build architects Architectus
NATURAL CONVERSATION Corporate advances for IAG bring call centre staff from seven locations together at two localised hubs – Sylvia Park and Albany. The former is featured here, but both share the same playful, colourful, organic fit-outs
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Previous pages:The base-build staircase at Architectus-designed No.1 Sylvia Park is put to good use in the Unispace fit-out of the IAG Hub. Below:Well-rounded – the IAG Hub references the firm’s circular logo in many ways, including the lighting, custom carpet and furniture.
A company’s biggest asset is its people – a truism reflected in the human-centred design of IAG’s three-levels of offices at No.1 Sylvia Park. A strong sense of community, resizable desking options and quiet, intimate spaces all add up to an interior design path that puts staff wellbeing first. When IAG sought to consolidate its staff from seven offices to two fringe city call-centre Hubs, they asked Unispace to create the same theme and look for both spaces, albeit in quite different envelopes, or buildings, says design principal Sarah Langford. This fit-out is in No.1 Sylvia Park, a new building designed by Architectus, and covers levels two, three and part of four of the building. Given its prime function as a call centre, the Hub doesn’t have a formal reception area, but level three is where visitors might arrive. The central area on this floor is called The Campfire, and provides a clue to one aspect of the design scheme. “The IAG Hubs are purposefully away from the city centre, and are more destinations in their own right, albeit close to shops and transport hubs. Staff were able to choose which Hub they went to,” says Langford. “The sense of people coming together in an open, healthy, flexible environment lead to the loose analogy of a colourful, playful fit-out themed on camping and campfire camaraderie. “Initially, the analogy was used to explain to staff how the hub’s new flexible, unassigned way of working would be employed and these ideas became part of the project’s common language.” However, in real terms the aesthetic speaks most strongly to IAG’s business colours and iconography, underpinned with only subtle nods to the camping analogy, such as the naming for certain areas and the evocation of some iconic outdoor elements. As a result, the Hub’s floorplans are broken into neighbourhoods, or campsites, each with various meeting spaces. Elements such as rounded walls of suspended ropes – evoking rope swings – and even a circle of green, suggesting grass, set the scene. Some slatted wood tables have the look of picnic tables while most workstations have rounded corners, another subtle evocation of the soft lines of
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the natural world. The cafe features plenty of stainless steel, suggesting a canteen or mess, and even
home for personal staff items, while wellness rooms and the focus rooms are near the floorplate cores.
the main carpets have a tundra-under-foot appeal. “We sought to activate staff wherever possible.
Much front-end strategy work was done to determine the right mix of focus and collaboration
For instance, we optimised use of Architectus’ link-
spaces to align with the teams’ ways of working.
ing base-build central stair by locating the canteen cafe on the mid-level third floor as a destination to
One sustainable aspect of the project for Unispace was working with existing workstations
walk to, eat in and congregate at.” In terms of work itself, the fit-out is equally agile
and some soft furniture, which were retained from IAG’s previous offices.
and light on its feet. The neighbourhoods are des-
As well as zoning for relative quietness of tasks,
ignated as quieter or louder, with the louder/noisier zones near the bustling cafe. Staff can choose from
comfortable noise levels were achieved through the choice of high-backed booths, plenty of soft
a variety of unassigned workstation options as well, from sit-to-stand and user-adjust to fixed-height
furnishings, high-spec acoustic panelling and the sheer size of the floors – with plenty of open space.
workstations. Quiet rooms, the library included, are used for more focussed activities such as writing a
“A great deal of attention was paid to acoustic performance generally,” says Langford. “We’ve
report. Centrally located banks of lockers provide a
designed the rooms to avoid reverberance.”
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Below:As part of the outdoor/ camping theme of the fit-out, this open meeting place has a nominal surround evoking the pleasure of the rope swing. Facing page upper:As part of the agile, unassigned work environment, there are a variety of desk options to choose from. Facing page lower:Splashes of colour reinforce brand colours, while the wooden bench tables add to the open-air aesthetic.
Together with the camping/outdoors theme, IAG’s own branding contributes greatly to the look
reinforced by ring pendants in strategic places. “The open, colourful and highly flexible fit-outs of
of the Hub. There are even slightly differing brand colourways, differentiating between corporate,
the Sylvia Park Hub and near-identical Albany Hub represent a fresh, human-centred approach to call
community and employee. Purple is the common
centres,” says Langford. “Ongoing staff satisfaction,
colour to all, signifying leadership and strength for the company. Various versions of corporate and
productivity and wellbeing is put first at every turn.”
internal brand colours have been applied to establish IAG’s presence in this otherwise neutral palette. These colours are celebrated predominantly as bold circle patterns seen in the carpet and in bright, colourful furniture elements. The circular motif is
Project:IAG offices, No.1 Sylvia Park Interior designer:Unispace; design team: design principal – Sarah Langford; design associate – Antony Walton; project manager principal – Jamie Shaw; project manager construction – Angela Chen Lighting consultant:Switch Lighting Carpet tiles:Interface carpet tiles, various, from Inzide Ceiling tiles:Asona acoustic laminate Surfaces:Melteca low pressure laminates, various; Formica high-pressure laminates; Maharam fabrics Paints:Resene and Dulux Lobby booth rug:Dia in Artsilk Vinyl plank flooring:Decotile Ethnic Pine Accoustic pin boards Autex, various colours Wellness room curtain fabric:Pegasus Envoy in colour Parchment from James Dunlop
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Clipwall:Laminex Clipwall system Window treatments:Roller blinds from Window Treatments Lighting:Zero-Out, Zero-In, Willy, Piano 600 and Piano 300 by Exenia, from Energy Lights; Muuto pendant from Unison Workspaces; iStart downlights from JSB Kitchen appliances:Fisher & Paykel refrigerator and Double DishDrawer dishwasher; Schaerer Coffee Prime coffee machine; Undersink Zenith hot water unit Wellness room appliance:Haier bar fridge Furniture suppliers:Vidak, including custom lockers and desk pods; Simon James; Cite; Fletcher Systems; Zenith; Tim Webber; Harrows; custom joinery by Image Interiors Story by Charles Moxham Photography by Jason Mann
Previous pages and left:Stainless steel and wood veneer lends the staff cafetaria a canteen-like feel – a place you might congregate in at a camping ground for instance. The facility is on the middle floor of IAG’s three-floor fit-out – with only tea/coffee-making facilities on the floors above and below. This encourages staff to get exercise walking to the cafe and to mingle with those working on other floors.
FRESH PERSPECTIVE The rethink of an existing building for an accounting practice brings drama to the interiors and gives them life and colour – key surfaces are in Resene paint This page:The lively fit-out for the offices of Palmerston North accountants PKF Rutherfords incorporates Resene Merino, a versatile off-white, on most walls. The boardroom is set-off by an accent wall in Resene Seeker, a light teal, while the kitchen zone is highlighted by Resene Alo Alo, a yellow-green.
So how do you transform the public image of an accountancy practice from staid to dynamic? The company’s office fit-out is one obvious way and within that colour choices play a pivotal role, as the fresh-faced interiors for PKF Rutherfords reflect. The largest change for the accountants was switching from individual offices in their existing premises to open-plan spaces in the reinvented building they were moving to. The smart paint choices that help define and enliven the new, open office were selected jointly by Chapple Architecture and PKF Rutherfords. The majority of plasterboard walls are painted in
Resene Merino. This off-white results in a clean but not clinical space and sets a base layer against which the colours of carpet, furniture and selected spaces inject a visual statement and organisation. Feature walls of Resene Seeker – a light teal – in the boardroom area and Resene Alo Alo – a fluoro yellow – in the kitchen, help define these zones. For details, visit a Resene ColorShop, freephone 0800 RESENE (737 363), online: www.resene.co.nz
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Project Attraction Media
Location: Montreal
Interior designer: Imperatori Design
CREATIVE THINKING New premises for a media and entertainment production company establish brand identity through how its employees use and interact with the space rather than through overt brand messaging
For many companies in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business world, the most effective way to grow is often through acquisition. But when a company is an amalgamation of several small creative companies, how do you provide a unified work environment without employees feeling they’re now just a cog in a large, structured office. That was the challenge Montreal media and entertainment company Attraction Media presented to Imperatori Design for the design of its new facilities. Attraction’s rapid acquisition-for-growth programme had seen the company expand to 300 employees, divided into activity sectors across three floors of an industrial building, with each activity retaining its own corporate identity. Imperatori senior designer Chantal Ladrie says Attraction wanted to change that closed office environment and move all staff to a single floor space of 4925m2 that still recognised the different team activities while at the same time encouraging interaction across the whole company. “The plan is like a small city, with neighbourhoods here and there that people can wander through and meet others,” says Ladrie.
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Central to the city/neighbourhood layout was the creation of a ‘downtown’ area to act as a focal point for everyone. This function is fulfilled by a large lounge complete with a barista coffee station which employees, clients and collaborators first encounter when they walk into the premises. It’s a place for casual or social meetings, an alternative workplace, or just somewhere to relax. A low stage at one end of the lounge means the space can also be used for large events. While departments such as finance and legal have dedicated spaces in the fit-out, Ladrie says offices in those areas have no doors and so still reflect the open nature of the wider fit-out. The rest of the space is designed to give maximum flexibility in the way it can be used. “Because they are producers, the work programme changes all the time – and the number of people in the premises can vary greatly through the year. Teams need to be able to assemble for a project, and then the teams break up when it’s complete and assemble somewhere else. “But because this space is so big, we didn’t
Instead of a formal reception area, a large lounge, complete with a barista offering coffee, greets staff and visitors arriving at production company Attraction Media’s new premises.
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Left, top:With its variety of seating options, the lounge area is a place for casual staff interactions, meeting clients or just a place to relax. Left, lower and below As well as clusters of workstations, Imperatori’s design includes a range of flexible workspaces such as open offices and four large semi-transparent polycarbonate boxes configured for more focussed activities.
want it to feel like it was a sea of workstations.” To counter this – and to stay within the modest
telephone booths to four large polycarbonate boxes configured for more focussed activities.
budget for the fit-out – the company’s existing white melamine workstations were grouped
Ladrie says that Attraction wanted its fit-out to express its brand values rather than having them
together and a black steel frame added at the end
overtly portrayed in the design.
of each grouping. “This allowed us to take power to the worksta-
“They have a lot of artists and movie people coming to the premises and they wanted them to
tions without cutting into the concrete slab, but also meant we could add planters, TVs or white boards
see and feel that they were in a friendly, creative space, not a highly structured office environment.
into the frame to give the space more character.”
“It also has an identity that very closely reflects
Added work flexibility comes from the variety of meeting and personal spaces dotted throughout
the Mile End area where it’s located, which is one of Montreal’s most hip and cool areas. So it’s an
the floor. These range from small, vibrantly coloured
attractive place for younger generations to work.”
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Below: Timber framing and pergolas mark new, inserted structures within the original industrial ambience of the building.
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Facing page, top:While the majority of staff use open-plan workstations, departments such as finance and legal have more traditional, semi-enclosed offices. Facing page, lower:Colourful rows of telephone booths are dotted throughout the fit-out. Above:Existing workstations were re-used, with black steel frames added to provide electrical services and create planter box end pieces.
Project:Attraction Media Location:Montreal Interior design:Imperatori Design; Joanne Imperatori, Chantal ladrie Construction:JCB General Contractors Project manager:Devencore Flooring:Beaulieu; Svelt – backstitch; Interface –Twist and Shine Macro Ceiling panels:Armstrong Dune Paints:Benjamin Moore Lighting :LumiGroup – general lighting; Lambert et Fils – accent and suspended lighting; Luminaire Authentik – metal white domes in the corridors
Workstations and office seating:Existing Metal tables:Steelwork Story by Paul Taylor Photography by Stéphane Brügger
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Project Westpac New Zealand head office fit-out, the Westpac Building
Location: Christchurch
Architect: Jasmax
FLOWING AESTHETIC The contemporary fit-out for Westpac’s new head office within Christchurch CBD’s buzzing The Terrace precinct takes its design cues from the mighty Avon River
The Terrace in Christchurch’s CBD combines excellent mixed-used urban design with an iconic location. A vibrant neighbourhood overlooking the mighty Avon, the mixed-use development comprises hospitality, retail and office space all intersected and activated by character laneways. The modern, new Westpac head office – on three levels of the five-storey Westpac Building – is a cornerstone component of this. The Terrace was masterplanned by Jasmax and NH architects, from Melbourne. The Westpac Building was designed by Jasmax, who also undertook the Westpac head office fit-out. Westpac New Zealand’s head of property services, Rachel Winder, says the Westpac Building, including the head office and ground-level branch, is a much anticipated homecoming for those who suddenly moved out after the earthquakes in 2011. “Situated in what we feel is an ideal position – adjacent to and overlooking the river – the branch and office offers our staff and customers the best of a natural setting together with the business activity that surrounds The Terrace. It is very important to us to be an anchor in the CBD to support our communities and be part of the rebuild of Canterbury.” And it’s not just the setting that Westpac is proud of. The Westpac Building stands extremely safe
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with rolling foundations and, in keeping with the company’s focus on people and sustainability, the building has attracted a 5 Star Green Star rating. Given its amazing location and surrounding natural environment, it’s not surprising the Westpac fit-out provides a direct connection with nature, says Nick Moyes, principal architect on the project. “From the west of the building, occupants can work amongst the treetops lining the banks of the Avon River. Other prominent views include the Bridge of Remembrance and Cashel Mall, as well as the buzzing laneways and piazza within The Terrace. Given this environment – where the CBD connects with the banks of the Avon – we looked to the site and its surrounds as a starting point for the interior look and feel for the Westpac fit-out. “As the connecting element between the river and the city, the riverbank environment has many characteristics, textures, patterns and forms to draw on for inspiration,” says Moyes. “Plus, we see distinct correlations with the riverbank and the spaces needed for a modern, flexible way of working. “Like a contemporary workplace, the riverbank is a place where people meet, socialise and collaborate and so it can be busy, lively, and colourful. However, it can also be where people retreat to reflect, think, dwell, read and focus – and so can be
Below:The upper levels of the west facade of the new Westpac Building feature vertical blades, sculpted to connect with the fluidity of the River Avon.
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Previous pages:The head office reception area makes the most of the views, while timber battening on the walls add a natural emphasis appropriate to the iconic riverbank setting.
quiet, tranquil, reflective, fluid and calm as well.” The office space was designed to be seen as an
merge and connect spaces – enhancing the sense of movement and flexibility in the offices. In fact,
extension and reflection of the riverbank, and it is from here that Jasmax looked for inspiration – from
there’s a liberal use of rich timber throughout.” Colour plays an important, energising role in
layouts to colourways and even material selections.
the office interiors. Multi-coloured pops of colour
Facing page:The use of plants as screen dividers helps soften the spaces and is another reminder of the natural outdoor surroundings. Low VOC surfaces and materials feature throughout.
“Westpac placed importance on the connection to the river and being able to share the view with
help define zones and add vibrancy; brightening, humanising and enhancing the spaces.
all occupants and visitors. In response, the west end of the floors were kept as open as possible to
Again drawing on the riverbank setting, the fit-out also celebrates contrasting textures.
Below:The flexible workplace has a wide variety of meeting, break-out and desking spaces, including semi-enclosed meeting rooms.
create a vibrant zone for meeting and collaboration,”
“Texture and materiality add depth and interest
says the architect. The staff café and reception spaces on levels 3
to the spaces and create visual drama with a playful contrast between light and dark, organic and struc-
and 4 are located near the central, social stair to encourage interaction between floors. Workspaces,
tured, and natural and man-made,” says Moyes. The head office fit-out employs understated sig-
collaborative spaces, a social zone and some quiet spaces are all set near the windows, views and
nage and graphics, with a generous use of plants as screening elements – contributing to the natural
natural light. Meeting rooms, utility spaces and the lift lobby are towards the core of the floorplates. Overall, space planning favours multi-use, open-plan workspaces ideal for a flexible working environment.
feel and bringing the outside environment inside. “Of course, sustainability is also very much the Westpac message and we are extremely proud of the 5 Star Green Star rating,” says Rachel Winder. Green features include two artesian wells 50m
In terms of the look of the spaces, several key aesthetic aspirations informed the design. “The fluid nature of the Avon River is echoed in a generous use of undulating timber battens on wall surfaces. These warm, natural elements link,
deep to regulate heating and cooling, and solar cells on the roof to generate electricity for the building. Another element is the absence of light switches, which are replaced by movement sensors. “Rubber flooring is made of recycled car tyres and
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the blade hand dryers in washrooms are powered by solar cells. All these factors either save power directly or are kind to the planet in other ways,” says Winder. At ground level, Westpac’s iPad kiosks, and a 24/7 lobby with Smart ATMs and a cash exchange, appropriately reflect the modern, fast-changing world of banking and finance.
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Project:Westpac New Zealand head office fit-out, the Westpac Building, The Terrace, Christchurch Architect:Nick Moyes, Jasmax Interior designer:Jasmax Construction:Hawkins Construction South Island Structural engineer:Aurecon Mechanical and electrical engineer, and project manager Beca Quantity surveyor:Rider Levett Bucknall Acoustic engineer:Acoustic Engineering Services Fire consultant:Cosgroves Partitioning systems:Tracklok by Potters Interior Systems Operable walls Dorma NZ supplied by Southern Divide Air diffusion Temperzone
Below:The staff cafe offers great views and immediate connection to the base build stair. To allow for any adaptations required to suit Westpac’s needs, the fit-out was integrated with the base build.
Hardware Assa Abloy, from Architectural Hardware Blinds:Luxaflex sunscreen and rollershade Tiling:Design Industry Oxide Light, porcelain, by Jacobsen Flooring:Carpet:Interface Carpet Tiles in Retrofit range Relay Track, Human Nature range, Monochrome, from Inzide Commercial Rubber and vinyl flooring Regupol Everoll rubber and Tarkett vinyl, from Jacobsens Stone tile First Rubbed Basalt tile, from Design Source Wall finishes Rockcote Multistop render by Resene; Bestwood solid timber wall battens in American white ash Acoustic panels: Autex/Cube Ceilings:Custom metal linear baffle ceiling – Sas International, from Potters; main ceiling tile – Armstrong Ultima
Paints:Resene, Dulux Workstations The Elevate, by Kada; the Navi, by Workscape Office chairs Be Task chairs from Zenith Reception furniture Billiani from Union Workspaces, Askew waiting chair, Hippy stools, Grapevine Round table – all from Unison; George Nelson coffee table; Oslo Leaner Additional furniture Eames meeting tables, Billiani range of furniture, Herman Miller range,Segis chairs and stools, all from Union Workspaces; Kada, various; Zenith, various Kitchen equipment Zenith Hydro taps; Fisher & Paykel CoolDrawer and fridges; Method bins; Starline dishwasher Story by Charles Moxham Photography by Jason Mann
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HEALTHY AIR – SORTED The Westpac head office at The Terrace achieves a highly coveted 5 Star Green Star rating – high performance air diffusion products from Temperzone played a key role
The Green Star rating system factors in healthy environments and their overall performance – and few things could be more fundamental to this than the achievement of healthy air quality. With a widely respected industry name in highperformance air diffusion products, Temperzone supplied cutting-edge solutions for the Westpac offices – principally employing the Smartemp range. Smartemp concentrates on creating industry leading products with unique design elements to maximise performance in office environments, says Temperzone marketing manager Jamie Nankivell. Two principal air diffusion products were employed at the Westpac head office. “The Smartemp HSC-FD Fixed Helical Swirl Diffuser is the highest capacity and highest performing fixed vane VAV swirl diffuser available,” says Nankivell. “With 20 off-set radial swirl vanes with unique helical twist and cambered leading edges, the diffuser discharges the supply air with high induction swirl in a fixed radial pattern.” This produces horizontal discharge into the space, greatly improving air flow efficiency and comfort. The swirl diffuser was used in conjunction with Smartemp’s LMC-AD Linear Multistream Ceiling Diffuser – a high induction linear slot diffuser. This has a multitude of barrel nozzles that produce alternating mini-jet discharge. The discharge direction of each barrel nozzle is individually adjustable, providing accurate, easy air pattern adjustment. Temperzone also supplied its own high quality, New Zealand-made fan coils as part of the fit-out. “Our products are typically chosen for their quality, value and for our prompt back-up support.” For details, contact Temperzone, 38 Tidal Rd, Mangere, Auckland, phone: (09) 279 5250. Email: nzsales@temperzone.com, web: www.temperzone.biz
search and save online: 333040716 or temperzone at Trendsideas.com This page:Temperzone supplied Smartemp LMC-AD Linear Multistream Diffusers (top) and Smartemp HSC-FD Fixed Helical Swirl Diffusers (lower) for the Westpac head office.
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TRENDS COMPLETES THE PICTURE Whether you’re planning a brand new build or a reno, a visit to the Trends website and our dedicated home hub is your best starting point
Our homes are, in the most basic sense, the ultimate reflection of who we are as people. They’re where we grow our families, places we spend decades of our lives and the sanctuary that we return to every day. So, given the importance of the home, where do you actually start when building a new house or carrying out a renovation? At Trends, we think every successful project begins with great planning, and there’s no better place to start than our Home Design hub. Once there, start by browsing through our inspiring homes,
viewing the glossy image galleries and reading the informed articles, reflecting the ideas of hundreds of architects and designers. Next, check out some of the unique videos showcasing the latest in home innovations and building materials. Then, when you’re ready to get really serious, check out our comprehensive, up-to-the-minute guides, designed to lead Above: Visit the esasy-to-navigate Trends Home Design Hub to find out how we can complete the picture on your new home or renovation project.
you through some of the most important design decisions you will encounter like how to choose a home builder, whether cladding is a good option for your design and what to consider in terms of roofing. After browsing through the Trends Home Design Hub, it’s time to dig into the nitty gritty on our home category pages like Paint & Wallpaper, Flooring and Lighting. When it comes to building your new home or undertaking a comprehensive or even modest renovation, Trends completes the design picture. Visit trendsideas.com
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MARKET SECTOR REPORT
WELLNESS IN THE MODERN OFFICE
A HEALTHY WORKPLACE How do you ensure the mental health of your staff through your work environment? Victoria Tavendale, Mirvac’s general manager of asset management, office and industrial, offers an informed perspective on what makes a workplace a well place
We spend a large portion of our lives at work,
in which every individual realises his or her own
which means that finding a workplace that supports mental health and encourages wellbeing is essential
potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to
to our health and happiness. Nearly three-quarters of all Australian employees
make a contribution to her or his community”. Good mental health is critical to a productive workplace
say a mentally healthy workplace is important when looking for a job in the future. These figures show
and fully functional society. But the figures worryingly reveal that the majority
Australians have an expectation that their workplace will provide comprehensive mental health support. And rightly so. World Health Organisation (WHO) defines good mental health as “a state of wellbeing
of Australian workplaces are not living up to these expectations. Only half (52%) of employees believe their workplace is mentally healthy, leaving 48% with a workplace they believe does not provide a
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These pages: Mirvac’s general manager of asset management, office and industrial Victoria Tavendale talks about what adds up to a healthy workplace in today’s business environment, using Mirvac’s own head office in Sydney’s high-profile EY Centre as an example of good practice.
mentally healthy environment. Every morning, one in six working age people will
we do know that the design of our built environment contributes significantly to our mental health. Today’s
arrive at work and begin their day while suffering from a diagnosed mental illness. A further one-sixth
average office worker spends nearly 90% of their working day indoors, with a large part of that time in
of the population will be dealing with symptoms
an office. This means that developers and manag-
associated with mental ill health, such as worry, sleep problems and fatigue, which, while not meet-
ers of office space have a critical role to play in the provision of buildings and workplaces that enhance
ing criteria for a diagnosed mental illness, will be affecting their ability to function at work.
the productivity, happiness, human experience, health and the wellbeing of employees.
This is having far reaching implications. Over
Over recent years, there have been significant
the past year, one in five (21%) Australians have taken time off work because they’ve felt stressed,
steps taken to design and manage buildings in a way that actively promotes the mental and physical
anxious, depressed or mentally unhealthy. To put that in perspective, this can amount to three to four
health of their occupants. As well as our social care and responsibility to create sustainable, connected
sick days taken each month for those living with untreated depression.
communities, we believe the productivity and engagement levels of a workforce are intrinsically
What can be done? While we are happy to leave analysis of the causes of mental ill health to the medical experts,
linked and reliant upon the health of the employees. Mirvac’s headquarters within the EY Centre at 200 George Street, Sydney, is an example of an office where a whole range of successful wellness
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Below:The light-filled Town Hall space on the mid level of Mirvac’s head office fit-out in the EY Centre. initiatives have been incorporated to promote and support the mental and physical health of the team. These include: • The use of over 15 SAMBA sensors throughout to monitor the indoor environment and air quality. • The internal café, The Song Kitchen, provides healthy food options with high nutritional value, healthy portion sizes and clear labelling. The café is also Australia’s first profit for purpose initiative, with 100% of the profits going to fund YWCA NSW services for women and children experiencing domestic violence. • 75% of workstations are located within 7.5m of a window, increasing access to natural light. Lights are programmed for varying brightness and darkness at appropriate points throughout the day to maintain circadian rhythms. • Safe and clean drinking water is provided through proper filtration methods and is accessible 30m from regularly occupied spaces. We’ve also found that innovative fitness features are key to ensuring the happiness, health and wellbeing of our tenants. A dedicated health and wellness educational seminar series is held in Mirvac’s headquarters in which professionals educate staff on health and wellbeing. Pilates and yoga classes are offered twice a week in the office with a professional instructor, as well as an online wellness library with a range of health and wellbeing literature. Mirvac’s commitment to support the health of its employees led to it achieving the first GOLD WELL Certification for the new EY Centre headquarters, from the International WELL Building Institute, as well as several other sustainability accreditations. The WELL Building Standard is the world’s first building certification that focuses exclusively on human health and wellness. It is an international assessment method that encourages healthy eating choices and active lifestyles, as well as promoting natural light and a high standard of air quality, based on seven years of scientific, medical and architectural research. WELL-certified facilities can help create a built environment that improves the nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns and performance of workers. Focusing on a range of scientific measurements, such as how light is related to sleep/wake cycles and how temperature affects an employee’s mental health, the certification aims to encourage and enable healthy habits. After a year in operation, the Mirvac team had participated in 62 pilates classes, four wellness
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talks, 4000 keep cups were handed out and 28 bookings were made for The Burrows, the retail space and amphitheatre at the base of EY Centre. These learnings have been taken onboard and are being implemented across other buildings. One such example is Olderfleet, on 477 Collins Street in Melbourne, a new flagship commercial tower that’s targeting a Platinum WELL Certification for the core and shell of the building. By incorporating these features into the design of buildings and adopting initiatives that support wellness, we believe businesses can successfully enrich employee mindsets and at the same time
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strengthen their bottom line. If nothing is done, in Australia alone, businesses face a loss of $4.7 billion due to absenteeism, $6.1 billion to presenteeism (where employees are present in attendance, but are less productive due to illness or injury) and $146 million in compensation claims. That’s a total of $10.9 billion lost each year.
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Above:Mirvac’s sunny level 30 kitchen facilities in the EY Centre include healthy options and clean filtered water. Facing page:Olderfleet, a new flagship commercial tower in Melbourne, is aiming for a Platinum WELL Certification for the building’s core and shell.
SECTION FOCUS DESIGN SCHOOLS
OBJECT LESSONS Whether sculptural or sustainable, these architectural studios are aspirational examples of the lessons learned within them
Project Thomas P Murphy Design Studio Building, University of Miami School of Architecture
Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA
Architect: Arquitectonica
LEARNING CURVE Simple, curvaceous, and with a touch of Modernism about it, the sculptural new Thomas P Murphy Design Studio Building is a leader in more ways than one
Striving for architectural excellence is one thing, learning your craft within a great example of architectural excellence is quite another. Cue the graceful yet raw, concrete-and-glass addition to the University of Miami School of Architecture campus. Continuing Arquitectonica’s long association with the university, the architectural firm has designed the school’s new Thomas P Murphy Design Studio Building – an up-to-the-minute laboratory and collaborative space for young architecture students. The 1858m2 LEED-certified building is a focused, innovative environment for students who will be the future designers of the city and further afield, says lead designer and project manager Raymond Fort. “The building’s sculptural exposed structure of glass and concrete serves as a teaching tool by illustrating some of the basic tenets of modern architecture, construction and sustainability.”
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The building is, in essence, a single, oversized shed, with a vaulted roof suspended 5.5m over the floor by narrow steel columns and a few fixed walls. Located next to a busy campus intersection, the building includes a plaza area and adjoining pathway that links the campus to the Miami Metrorail. “The building’s single, curved concrete wall faces the main public transit entrance and the Jorge M Perez Architecture Center that stands at the heart of the architecture school,” says Fort. “This southern wall peels away to connect with the Perez centre’s arched portico and octagonal auditorium. “Acting as a symbolic welcoming gesture, the curve invites students to walk up to the building. It also softens the look of the rectilinear plan.” The roof structure creates a sense of openness and allows natural light to permeate the building. “The roof is a thin-shell concrete structure that
Previous pages and these pages:The graceful fluidity of concrete is celebrated in the simple lines of the Thomas P Murphy Design Studio Building.
gives the simple building its strong visual drama,” says Fort. “Plus, the slab warps slightly, seemingly
a progressive design that will serve as an influence for the architecture students who attend here.”
melting in the Miami heat, to form a gentle arc that adds complexity to the silhouette of the graceful
The main entrance to the building leads into an informal lobby that continues as a nave-like space
building. As well as bringing shading to the glazed
running through the studio. The open-plan studio
east and west fronts, the bowed roof also sets up the design’s primary formal swerve.
is based on a 2.3m2 workstation module that can accommodate a variety of configurations for the 90
“The curve of the roof interacts with the curve at the entrance, showing off the plasticity of con-
to 130 desks. The east and west walls of the central volume are clad in felt for students to pin up their
crete,” says Fort. “The two arcs transform what is
work, and there are movable boards for informal
a simple box into a dynamic architectural expression, incorporating core modernist principles into
critiques and exhibitions. The studios on the south side of the circulation
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These pages:Walking past the studio building’s informal lobby, the interior opens to a nave-like space with versatile, reconfigurable desking. Cubes of different materials signify different areas of use within the open-plan studio. Curtains delineate the jury area, while glass and panelled cubes signal seminar and meeting areas.
passage are intended for design-build courses and have direct access to the outdoor work area.
thanks in part to the first ever use of 5.5m-high hurricane-resistant glass panels – their superior
Scattered cubes of different materials signify different uses within the open studio space – curtains
strength an environmental requirement. Operable windows allow better circulation and eliminate
for the jury areas, glass and panels for seminar and
dependence on air conditioning during the summer.
meeting spaces, concrete for the fabrication lab. Two glazed freestanding pavilions serve as
“Studios are the heart of an architecture school – a strong magnet for prospective students,” says
faculty and visiting professor offices that can be redesigned and rebuilt by students each year, pro-
Fort. “Hence this building. The design of the studio spaces draws together every aspect of 21C peda-
viding a setting for creativity and collaboration.
gogy into a cogent whole – packing everything into
And the giant multiuse studio building is just as cool in terms of sustainability as it is in terms of
a deceptively simple envelope of thin concrete.” Dean of the University of Miami School of
eye-catching, inspirational aesthetics. The design, orientation and strategic elements
Architecture Rodolphe el-Khoury says the design studio complements the school’s existing
of the building address the movements of the sun and ensure a sustainable work environment even in
constellation of buildings that constitute a campuswithin-the-campus.
the hottest months. The concrete roof warps over the southernmost point of the building to shade the interior from sunlight. The building can operate during daytime without the use of any artificial light,
“The vast studio space designed to enhance co-creation and the digital fabrication lab, among several other features, are welcome additions to our beloved historic and award-winning facilities.”
Project:University of Miami School of Architecture Thomas P Murphy Design Studio Building Client: University of Miami, Facilities Planning & Construction Design architect and architect of record:Arquitectonica; project designer – Raymond Fort, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP Landscape architect:ArquitectonicaGEO Interior designers:ArquitectonicaINTERIORS and University of Miami Interior Design, Office of the University Architect Structural:GMG Acoustical:Shen Milsom & Wilke
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing/fire protection:Stantec Civil:VSN Geotechnical engineer:NV5 Sustainability:SUMAC Construction:Coastal Construction Group
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Story by Charles Moxham Photography by Robin Hill and Miami in Focus
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Previous pages Soaring 5.5m-high hurricane-resistant glass panels clad the sides of the structure. The building is in a sense a giant shed, with a vaulted roof held up by steel columns and a few fixed walls. Below The design studio’s open-air cafe is shaded by the building’s slender, curving roof. Facing page: A welcoming facade – with the building entry just out of picture to the left, the solid concrete end wall connects visually with another key campus building and can also be seen from the university’s transit hub.
Project SDE4, School of Design and Environment
Location Singapore
Architects: Serie + Multiply Architects with Surbana Jurong
NET ZERO An innovative cooling system,1225 solar photovoltaics and the sheer cleverness of the architecture make this the first new net-zero energy building in Singapore
When the School of Design and Environment at the National University of Singapore required a new building, it made logical, pedagogical, and financial sense to design one that walks the
SDE4 now forms an integral part of the campus, says Lam Khee Poh, dean of the School of Design and Environment. “Buildings are not isolated entities – grouped,
talk in terms of green architecture. The result? A living laboratory that demonstrates human-centric approaches for integrated sustainable development. Standing six-storeys tall, SDE4 makes an apt awareness project for the School, an institutional
they form a neighbourhood, supporting community activities that are crucial for all educational institutions,” says Lam. “Our students and faculty get the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom, being engaged in an integrated process
organization that promotes design, sustainability and education in Southeast Asia. And that’s partly because SDE4 is the first new-build, net-zero energy building in Singapore. The modern building presents a 8500m2, multidisciplinary space, designed by Serie + Multiply Architects with Surbana Jurong. Located on a hillside along Clementi Road near the southern coastline of Singapore, SDE4 is a new addition to the Design & Environment precinct and part of a wider campus redevelopment. The climate-responsive building includes more than 1500m2 of design studio space; a 500m2 open plaza; a wide variety of public and social spaces; workshops and research centres; as well as a new cafe and library. The building’s flexible design and high efficiency reflect the School’s ambition of promoting new forms of teaching spaces as a scaffold for research. Rooms are designed in a variety of sizes to allow flexible rearrangement of layout for exhibitions, school installations and future change of use.
of designing, developing, constructing, and operating ultra modern buildings that in turn, influence the students’ own behaviour when they occupy them.” Awarded to Serie + Multiply Architects with Surbana Jurong through an international design competition launched in 2013, the building was envisioned as porous architecture structured in a juxtaposition of ‘platforms and boxes’ that express its programmatic content. Christopher Lee, principal of Serie Architects, says that one of the firm’s aims when it started the project was to challenge the idea that a high energy efficient building has to also be an opaque one. “Instead, we envisioned a very transparent volume in which the outside and the inside spaces are ambiguous; where nature and landscape play an important part as a backdrop to the building.” To an extent responding to this, the design revisits the principles of everyday tropical architecture in Southeast Asia. More than 50% of the total area is naturally ventilated and most of the rooms can be opened to prevailing breezes. Air-conditioning is
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Below:A shady overhanging roof and giant platforms that open to the air are two natural ways SDE4 building keeps its students cool.
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used only when needed, while the cross-ventilated spaces between cooled volumes act as thermal
“For instance, the interstitial space between the inner and outer skins on the east and west facade
buffers, emulating traditional tropical verandas. As a result, the building is punctuated by alter-
is designated for research,” he says. “Elements of the façade can be dismantled and replaced with
nating terraces, landscaped balconies and informal
new systems depending on research needs.
spaces. There are no formal boundaries between places to study, work and socialise in. And as part
“So, the building serves as a canvas for testbedding and developing green building technology
of this, SDE4’s large, open platforms are configured to promote interaction and visual connectivity.
– effectively, becoming a living laboratory.” Another key aspect of the architecture that helps
“Circulation corridors and flights of stairs link and
dictate the free-flowing nature of the interiors is the
penetrate these platforms, allowing spaces to bleed from one learning and research space to another,
large over-sailing roof. This protrudes along the south elevation sheltering a giant open-air tropical
fostering a collaborative design ethos,” says Lee. Erik L’Heureux, vice dean special projects at
portico and is built around and over existing mature trees. This openness allows spaces to flow freely
the School of Design and Environment, says SDE4 represents a framework for learning, teaching, and
across the length of the building, bringing the surrounding landscape into close proximity with
research designed for the 21st C university – literally.
the interior spaces. The east and west facades are
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Previous pages:The innovative SDE4 building is much like a massive portico with internal cubes of air-conditioned spaces where required. The building is immersed in its landscaping – providing its own lessons for students in terms of environmental education. Below:The ground-floor entry to the building is under the sail-over roof. The strong, raw material palette celebrates the natural characteristics of steel, perforated metal and concrete. Facing page:Elements of the façade can be dismantled and replaced with new systems as part of the learning experience.
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Below:The modern design draws on classic architectural precedents, resulting in optimum natural light penetration as well as fresh air.
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Facing page, upper:In a design where learning, linking and social spaces run together, stairs offer a chance for casual interactions. Facing page lower:Where breezes aren’t enough, a hybrid cooling system supplies fresh, pre-cooled air, further optimised with traditional ceiling fans.
designed as veils – aluminium curtains that filter sunlight and further connect to the surroundings.
cooling system that supplies rooms with 100% fresh pre-cooled air and augments this with an
And links to the outdoors are fundamental in another way, too – the south gardens are integral to
elevated air speed, generated by ceiling fans,” says Lee. “This cool circulating air creates a comfortable
the teachings offered by the biophillic building.
condition in a highly energy-efficient system.”
“Designed as a natural purification system, the landscape improves water quality while encourag-
Giovanni Cossu, senior manager at the School of Design and Environment, says the main story of
ing healthy lifestyle activities and teaching around water,” says Lee. “Runoff from the roof and hard
SDE4 is how to achieve net-zero through design. “This building challenges the negative perception
scape is cleansed by passing through soil, which
of spatial quality, comfort, and cost for sustainable
removes sediments and soluble nutrients. “Half the plants selected are native species and
buildings. SDE4 counters the argument that green buildings cost more, as it has limited or no extra
most are from the southern tropics, a choice that also provides chance for environmental education.”
cost compared to similar, industry-standard models. “Preliminary results of subjective surveys com-
Last but surely not least, SDE4 is designed to be climate responsive with net-zero energy, thanks
pleted by occupants show high user acceptance levels of the environmental conditions offered by
largely to a range of sustainable design features and the 1200 solar photovoltaic panels on its roof. “SDE4 exceeds set standards of health and wellbeing – creating new avenues for delivering comfort in the tropics, embracing an innovative hybrid
the building,” says Cossu. “Thanks in part to such occupant accolades, SDE4 speaks to multiple audiences: occupants and users, as well as policy makers and developers. And this generates a level of significance that cannot be ignored.”
Long section
Short section
Project SDE4, School of Design and Environment, Singapore Design architect Serie + Multiply Architects Executive architect, mechanical & electrical engineer, civil & structural engineer, quantity surveyor Surbana Jurong Consultants infrastructure and urban development:Surbana Jurong Engineering and hybrid cooling system:Transsolar KlimaEngineering Cladding:Steel, perforated aluminium mesh, concrete
Story by Charles Moxham Photography by Rory Gardiner
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MARKET SECTOR REPORT STADIUM DESIGN
STADIUM OF THE FUTURE Populous senior principals Chris Paterson and Tom Jones consider the key themes driving the nature of both entertainment venues and fan experiences from London to Sydney, and everywhere in between.
Major pieces of social infrastructure like
to be active participants in the event. This means
convention centres and stadia are increasingly providing the platform to create or reignite the
that we need to start by designing experiences rather than just the location of a seat in a seating
vibrancy and liveability of modern cities. As technol-
bowl in order to allow live events to compete with other leisure opportunities.
ogy advances and demographic changes take place, architects need to be able to respond, providing facilities for both fans and the wider community to enjoy every week of the year, and for a range of different events without compromising their core function. We also need to recognise that fans want far more than to just be spectators anymore, they want
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Venues of this scale also need to respond to the key challenges of sustainability and environmental design. As the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium opens in London, we consider how this and many other major entertainment venues are bringing new experiences for the users, creating an active precinct
These pages: Senior principals of global architecture company Populous, Tom Jones and Chris Paterson provide an informed perspective on the future of multi-use, multi-experience, environmentally intune stadia around the world – such as the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
for the community as well as additional revenue streams for venue operators. Multi-purpose venues The significant investment required for the con-
and support staff for sporting events and delegates for business networking events. The provision of a market place and onsite micro-brewery linked to a new public square will also lead to a range of activation opportunities outside of match days.
struction of a stadium or arena means that it needs to maximise its operations and optimise its revenue
Self-sufficient ecosystem
generation. Venues are looking to find ways of transforming, inside and out, to host a range of
Stadia are often very large structures and as such careful thought needs to be taken on the
different sports and other commercial activities.
embodied energy that is used in their construction. Sustainable strategies were developed during the
The new stadium for Tottenham Hotspur has been designed to host both Premier League
Sydney Olympic Games where rainwater harvesting
Football and American Football for the NFL, offering bespoke facilities that will help to service both forms
and natural ventilation were utilised to reduce the use of water and energy during the Games.
of football. A double-height conference and banquet space has also been provided, which offers hospi-
These ideas were developed further in the London Olympic stadium, where significant portions of the stadium were constructed from recycled materials. The roof space of a stadium offers huge opportunities for energy collection and
tality on a match day, but will drive a fully fledged conference business on non-match days. This business is also supported by the construction of an adjacent hotel, which can host players
the design for the new South Stand for Fulham will
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Facing page:Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium is to host both Premier League Football and American Football for the NFL. Automated pitch trays provide for a seamless switch between codes – artifical turf for American Football and natural grass for Premier League Football. This page:Stadia are looking at ways to monetise beyond the sporting events themselves. The Tottenham Hotspur stadium has a conference and banquet space and a micro brewerey – the Dispensery – on site.
incorporate photovoltaics on the roof, which will help to contribute to a 35% reduction in carbon
nectivity for fans, which in turn will provide digital information guiding fans along the transport net-
emissions for the project. The roof also shelters a stunning roof terrace and garden which provides
works to the stadium and then circulating around the stadium itself.
sweeping views up and down the river. Green
Large-scale LED screens are increasingly being
planting on the façades will also be incorporated to reduce solar gain and improve the overall amenity
used on both the exterior façades of stadiums and inside the seating bowl to communicate with fans
of the riverside-facing spaces within the stadium.
and provide opportunities for interactions through digital apps and touchscreen interfaces.
Digital infrastructure
LED boards now wrap around the perimeter of
Some of the biggest advances in technology relate to the size and scale of digital infrastructure
the pitch and around various levels of the stadium and allow the possibility to vary the look and feel
and the development of a digital network that supports and promotes new user experiences in and
within the stadium through digital displays. External façades can also be animated with programmable
around the stadium. The development of comprehensive mobile and
LED lighting and effects that can be fully coordinated with match-day presentation within the seating bowl
Wi-Fi networks is starting to provide full con-
to create an integrated visual environment.
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Facing page upper:Designed by Hassell + Populous, ICC Sydney’s three venues and precinct redefined Sydney’s Darling Harbour and provided more public space. Photo by Brett Boardman. Facing page lower:One reason for choosing Stratford for the London Olympic Park was the efficient public transport linking this area with the rest of London.
Interactive fan experience A combination of advances in digital technology
Tottenham Hotspur have taken the bold decision to make their new stadium a completely cashless
and the move for architects to design stadia and arenas within a comprehensive BIM environment
venue, which will require fans to pay for food and drink and other retail purchases with a digital device.
means that a whole new range of opportunities are
This opens up opportunities for varying the com-
being opened up to enable fans to interact with venues in more ways than just the traditional
mercial offers within the stadium during an event and for fans receiving information and offers during
physical visit to the building. Tottenham Hotspur has utilised a full range
a match that can be linked to the outcome of a game or future event. Digital signage in retail areas
of virtual and augmented reality as part of their
and around concessions can also be linked to the
engagement with fans at the new stadium. Hospitality sales have been driven out of a VR sales
same digital platform and adjust pricing and offers according to the commercial environment.
suite, rather than the more traditional mock-up of a hospitality box, with interactive 3D walk-throughs
Connecting the venue
and augmented reality also utilised to enable customers to get a much more realistic perspective of
One of the big advances in the design and planning of stadia and arenas has been to see how they
the new stadium before they buy their tickets. They have also recently launched their general admission sales with a digital platform that allows fans to explore each individual seat in an online 360-degree bowl environment, which provides
can be fully integrated into urban environments and move away from being standalone object buildings that only come to life on a match day. Joint venture partners, Hassell + Populous designed Sydney’s international convention, exhibi-
interactive seat views on their mobile phones.
tion and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour. The precinct reflects the dynamism of Sydney’s cityscape, redefining Darling Harbour, while respecting the precinct’s parkland setting. One of the most important features of ICC Sydney is that it provides
Rethinking the playing field Having the ability to provide different playing surfaces within a stadium opens up a much wider range of possibilities for hosting sports and entertainment events and developing a transformable venue. This was a key factor for Tottenham Hotspur in developing their innovative moving pitch that provides a natural grass surface for Premier League
more public open space than was there before, a better space with greater amenity for everyone. It is about being open, welcoming and enjoying what makes Sydney a truly global and unique city.
Football and artificial grass for American Football. Significant investment in modelling and prototyping the fully automated pitch trays was undertaken to ensure that the dynamic performance of the playing surface and behaviour of the joint between moving sections of the pitch was fully understood and compatible with the sport, ahead of construction. The speed of changeover provided by the automated system was also a key concern in being able to offer optimum flexibility in event planning and transitions between sports and surfaces, which will open up new options for promoters in scheduling events.
Transport The movement of spectators to and from a large stadium can provide one of the most challenging logistics associated with the planning of an event. As road networks struggle to cope with the pressures of increasing traffic and local residents battle to find parking close to home on a match day, public transport solutions have become increasingly important in making transport to an event a safe and comfortable experience. The selection of Stratford for the London Olympic Park was heavily influenced by the public transport network that linked this area with the rest of the city, and the ease with which large crowds move into and out of the Queen Elizabeth Park is a testament to the efficiency and diversity of this network. Linking the Olympic Park with local, national and international public transport networks only serves to enhance its reputation for successfully hosting major events.
Automated amenities As part of the technological revolution in society, people are becoming increasingly reliant on their smartphones to direct, organise and even pay for purchases. Digital apps are now commonplace and the role of cash in transactions is steadily reducing, as younger generations grow up without an understanding of how a cheque, notes or coins would be used in a transaction.
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