墨尔本 Olderfleet 办公楼丨澳大利亚墨尔本丨Carr,Grimshaw Architects

Architect：Carr;Grimshaw Architects

Location：477 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; | ;

Project Year：2021

Category：Offices

Gracing Melbourne's skyline, 40-storey Mirvac development, Olderfleet, was recognised by Australian Institute of Architects' Victorian Chapter by winning the interior architecture award.

Set back from three heritage-listed buildings at 477 Collins Street, Olderfleet is a 58,000 sq m PCA Premium Grade office tower located in the centre of Melbourne's CBD which draws consistent reference to its significant heritage context, bringing an attention to detail and spatial experience across all scales of the project.

Working on the project since 2012 as Lead Architect, Grimshaw's design intent was the promotion between the old and the new, driving a narrative anchored on binary oppositions and the passage of time.

Grimshaw Melbourne Managing Partner, Neil Stonell, notes "Our architectural vision for the project is complemented by a comprehensive interior architecture approach that places the building's occupants front and centre by providing comfort and convenience akin to a fine hotel".

Carr was appointed in 2017 to work with Grimshaw on the building interior, embracing the architectural vision of place making and bringing the legibility of the architecture to the ground through the interior experience.

“Extensive research into user experience and context informed our planning, material selections and overall approach” says senior interior designer An Bui, Carr.

"Driving the interiors was an exploration of opposing forces - of old and new, dark and light, compression and expansion, and night and day - contributing to the project's qualities of transition and contrast," says Rebecca Trenorden, Associate Director, Carr.

Immediately setting expectations, the main entrance on Collins Street brings people through a heritage vestibule, made intentionally dark to instigate a sense of anticipation before opening out into a light-filled, voluminous lobby space with an atrium.

The dark entry portal incites a reverence and acknowledgement of the heritage buildings, while unconsciously making people slow down as they transition from the frenetic street into the new and quieter environment that is the lobby.

As An explains, “Once stepping into the main lobby you are emersed into an activated space with an inspiring acoustic buzz, with changing natural daylight effects and wonderful Workclub hosts.” In this way, the dark entry portal works to incite a reverence and acknowledgement of the heritage buildings, while unconsciously making people slow down as they transition from the frenetic street into the light-filled environment that is the lobby.

The same design thinking was then replicated in all other transition zones - the Flinders Lane entrance, bike parking, lift lobbies, and the end-of-trip - bringing consistency in the design language across the whole building.

The constant connection between old and new is brought to life through the notion of the passage of time - a motif that is expressed in several ways. Firstly, an existing clock face on the Olderfleet heritage façade is revealed and exposed within the lobby space as a clear reference point between old and new. The passing of time is also revealed through a significant site-specific art installation, which was conceptualised under the same brief.

The spherical sculpture, 'Solar', by internationally renowned UK-based artist Wolfgang Buttress is suspended with a commanding presence in the open void of the lobby. Harnessing natural light and responding to the rich real-time building data feed of solar radiation as well as the ever-changing shifts of the sun, 'Solar' poetically interprets these metrics through its ever-changing lighting display.

"Solar's subtle and ethereal drama creates a sense of wonder and magic through the harmony of art, science, technology and art," notes Wolfgang Buttress.

Also influencing the ambience, lighting was carefully considered with different atmospheres created at different points of the day through placement and temperature. In the mornings it shines from above with fresh and cool tones, while in the evenings it is warmer, shining up from below. Grimshaw's introduction of daylight into the large atrium space behind the heritage frontage enables a connection to the external environment and circadian rhythms, all important aspects in our modern world.

Tracking how the light and shadows move and interact with different surfaces at different times throughout the day, and the seasons, further informed the selection of surfaces, materiality, textures and colours.

Other interior design considerations bring all the complexities of the design thinking together in a simple but thoughtful manner.  For example, a gradation of spliced mirrors breakup the north wall, reflecting the heritage brick opposite, repeating the datum lines used throughout and exaggerating the light at different times of the day, all while rearticulating the ladder frame structure of the tower above.

The layout and planning of the reception, lounge and dwell areas came off the back of heat mapping and research which together with the furniture selections focused on creating short dwell times to avoid people congregating in the lobby for too long, a key consideration as we continue to navigate our way through the COVID pandemic.

Olderfleet is an exemplar of modern-day, activity-based workplace design, maximising flexibility, while fostering collaboration.

"After a long period in isolation, our natural human desire for connection and a sense of community has come to the fore. It is more important than ever that our workplaces cater to this by being vibrant, attractive, high­ performing and responsible - and Olderfleet does just that", said Neil Stonell.

The end-of-trip facility is another important inclusion, which can cate up to 5,000 building occupants. Once traversing the dark threshold, the end­ of-trip interiors are defined by light finishes, planting and illumination.  As an underground space without natural light, it was key to introduce natural elements like landscaping and considered lighting, while planning ensures no dead ends. Mirrors have also been strategically placed to promote a sense of health and wellbeing.

Olderfleet offers a seamless experience to its mix of tenants, one that is consistent and united under a singular identity.

▼项目更多图片