Client: John Bryant Properties Pty Ltd
Project: Multi-tenancy Office Building with Underground Carpark Facility
Location: 66 Rundle Street Kent Town SA 5067 (Cnr The Parade West)
Approx Cost: $12.4m
After acquiring a prime allotment on the corner of Rundle Street and The Parade West, John Bryant Properties began making plans to construct a first-class office complex.
Being a design and construct project, the design brief was constantly evolving to satisfy the builder, the developer and the tenant.
The brief was tailored by local area restrictions, but essentially the focus was to create a multi-level tenancy with associated car parking on the newly obtained commercial site.
Due to the high density construction already in the area it seemed an essential element that the lower level car park would be incorporated; this proved to be a complicated design factor due to the site level and recorded average rainfall intensity for the suburb but was eventually resolved.
The office façade boasts a huge number of Sunrise Silver Metallic Alucobond panels, along the segmented main entrance bands, sun-shading fins and other feature elements. This silver colour is complemented by the concrete panel walls, painted Solver Silver Flute, and contrasts nicely with Evergreen Eclipse Advantage Viridian glazing.
A vertical column, constructed of zinc sheeting, Solver Nimbus painted concrete panels and mechanical louvres breaks up the north elevation while on the west a stunning glass stairwell serves a similar purpose. Spider fixings consolidate the modern design of the building and add even more opulence to the project. PGH Red bricks have been incorporated into landscaping planter boxes along the north and western façades; this provides an important highlight and links the development well to neighbouring properties. Street views have been considered well, with western red cedar and steel louvre panel screening implemented in front of plant equipment to soften the industrial components.
Large commercial grade energy efficient windows have been installed to maximize the amount of natural light entering the office spaces; this is especially the case on the Rundle Street and The Parade West elevations which adds pleasing aesthetics. Fundamental to the design are the large Alucobond clad fins that, in conjunction with the eaves, provide deliberate sun-shading for the majority of the day. Not only is this an important factor for sustainability requirements but also to ensure a comfortable working environment within the building, specific to Australian weather conditions. Indirect lighting is channelled through an atrium in the centre of the building to the rear tenancies. This 60m2 entrance space is neatly tiled and fills with light to generate a sophisticated common sitting area between tenants.
In summer months there are two balconies that provide outdoor seating and a relaxing atmosphere for patrons on a break, one above the ground level cafeteria and another on the eastern side of the first floor. The entrance balcony is fitted with stainless steel and glass balustrading, this permits largely unobstructed viewing up to, and down from, the area.
The ground level cafeteria is situated just above street level – this creates a focal point for the street and provides an interesting stage for the café guests, an appealing view that presents some separation without segregation. Fully tiled staircases frame the main entrance; the corner is emphatically designed and creates a sense of arrival for patrons. A lift has been included which not only allows safe, fast access between car park and office levels but also supports disabled visitors and employees.
Progressing through the building, a core has been established behind the atrium; this incorporates disabled toilets, male and female bathrooms and stairs that provide access to the lower level car parks. Each office level provides modern toilet and shower facilities with floor to ceiling tiles, ceramic fixtures and stainless steel hardware. Basins, pans and urinals are wall hung and contemporary, while the blue, green and white strip of feature tiles is a clean highlight that links well to the façade of the building. Laminex Oyster Grey partitions complement the charcoal coloured tiles and contrast well with the stainless steel taps and door handles. Similarly the kitchen areas have been conceived in a corporate manner, fitted with light grey and charcoal coloured joinery, stainless steel sinks, hot and chilled water units and provisions for microwaves/dishwashers.
The finishing touches that have ensured a quality result for this project include Shale Grey Colorbond cappings to all concrete panels, generous designs for box gutters and storm water management and thorough design resolution for roof falls between levels. There are eight separate roof sections, including the main roof which falls to a centrally located box gutter. The huge catchment area signifies the need for internally run downpipes, large rainheads, accurate falls and overflow provisions along with neat flashings around the significant skylight opening.