Client: Ahrens Group for DDAMTU
Project: Workshop, Warehousing, Offices, Showroom and Carparking
Location: 37-47 Sturton Road Edinburgh SA
Approx Cost: $9.2m
The tenant’s vision was for us to design a new building for their new South Australian based truck repair station, which created a corporate identity and became a recognizable icon for MTU Detroit Diesel. The facility would be state of the art and also be time transferable to Brisbane, Queensland and Perth, Western Australia.
A suitable site was found, measuring almost 26,000m2, at the Keylink Estates, Edinburgh Park. The facility contained approximately 6,000m2 building areas along with 85 car parks and 30m2 outdoor recreational space.
Vehicular movements had to be considered, as the site comprises of an independent truck entry and exit, trailer and truck parking with clear transition spaces for traffic into all work areas. Landscaping was utilised along the boundaries of the site and at the main entry to create a pleasant atmosphere for customers and generate privacy for working areas.
The main office area was designed to be predominantly south facing which allowed a valuable source of indirect lighting. The morning sustained the most direct sunlight onto the glass façade which introduced the use of aluminium louvre systems, highlighted in the client’s corporate red. Long pane, energy efficient glazed windows in black powder coated frames were used for the bulk of the office façade; while Ultra Marine Blue and Natural Brushed Alucobond panels created a contrasting feature in the use of columns and arches at each entrance.
Concrete panel fins, painted to match Colorbond Surfmist, were also incorporated to explore visual diversity and enhance the character of the building. These concrete elements tie into the work areas through the use of material and colour which helps to unify and complete the whole development.
Generating a grid-like tone on the main facade we carry the theme into the overall form of the building by creating a distinct plan to elevation connection through four main rectangular structures that are extended from the core of the building. An asymmetrical cross shape is formed in plan which develops into an efficient and visually interesting layout within the building.
There are seven sectors contained inside the development, truck work bays, parts warehousing, engine workshops, large amenities area with gymnasium, lunch and shower facilities, first floor and second floor office spaces and a separate dyno building for specialized mechanical testing. Due to the large floor areas and volumes most areas were also required to be compartmented according to fire safety regulations.
The work bay, warehousing and workshop walls utilise established industrial materials such as concrete dado panels and Colorbond wall sheeting. The heights were specifically designed to maximise efficiency and durability while still maintaining economy and aesthetics. To ensure a secondary focus was placed on the work areas the design has employed predominantly neutral tones that connect to the main entrance. The concrete panels were painted to match the main façade fins, this linked exactly to the Colorbond Surfmist steel motorised roller shutters installed around the development. Expressed structural steel rafters with a tapered head and canopy tie-backs are painted black to match the entry window frames, while black Colorbond cappings, rainheads and downpipes also create an interesting visual contrast and reflect the buildings corporate identity.
Maintaining the angular nature of the design, the showroom manages to incorporate classic design elements in a modern approach. The cranked stair is a well-defined feature that follows the tone of the grid but introduces a modern component with an obvious 32˚ turn on its lower landing. Constructed of steel stringers and trays, the treads are filled with concrete, finished with 10mm thick granite tiles and black nosings. The balustrading is formed using toughened glass panels, stainless steel balusters and handrails; this creates an elegant focal point in the room and sets the tone for the establishment.
With Italia Ceramics 400x400 TT55 beige tiles lay on a 32˚ angle, the floor plan is interesting but organised and encompasses a sense of spaciousness while maintaining usability and defining clear paths of travel. Continuing onto the first floor we note the black tinted glass overhang and contrasting ColorBond Surfmist coloured sitting areas that are protruding into the left corner of the showroom. The variation in colour and depth both impact the layout and assist in defining a memorable identity for the MTU Detroit Diesel facility.