atrium was extended to accommodate access to the additional reception area .
The roof space is treated as a ‘ fifth elevation ’ and a usable space . It is landscaped and utilised as breakaway space for the office users .
Challenges One of the challenges was achieving the fire escape capacities required . An unusual feature is that the public ‘ street ’ is actually a pressurised fire escape . All the wood is treated with a fire retardant and there is fire separation between the ‘ street ’ and the office and retail spaces . All glass shop and office fronts are protected by drenchers aimed directly onto the glass , thus separating them from the ‘ street ’ in case of fire . The main staircase within the ‘ street ’ also acts as a fire escape . The huge extraction fans form part of the industrial design as well as the fire management system .
The building is unusual in terms of its footprint and it was a challenge to work within the geometry of the site . Building on top of an existing parking basement and within the overall design plan of the Silo precinct resulted in what is essentially a triangular design . Stipulated pedestrian routes and public spaces as well as the relationship to the historical core of the district , the Grain Silo complex , further defined the building design .
Façade The façade , engineered by Arup ’ s façade engineering team , plays an important role in the successful performance of the building . It is a
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