New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 34/02C | Page 34

X-shape allows almost 360° views over the Black
Mountain region, along with maximum penetration
of daylight into the interior. The geometry creates
a series of neighbourhoods or clusters within the
internal open planning.”
The X-shape also provided the opportunity to
create a connection that gave a high degree of
transparency between the two functional spaces.
This was achieved by placing an atrium between
the legs of the X close to the research space, and
then glazing the internal walls of the laboratories.
Stairs and ramps winding through the atrium pro-
vide the main circulation pathway through the four
workplace floors, while also providing opportunities
for bump meetings.
“At the centre of the X is where the kitchenette
and amenities for each floor were placed, while
there are meeting rooms and communal spaces
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positioned on the other side of the X,” says Ashton.
But while transparency and visibility between
the two functional spaces were requirements,
there also had to be a high degree of isolation
between them to meet the government’s Physical
Containment 2 (PC2) certification standards.
This was achieved by inserting dedicated stairs
inside an enclosed link atrium placed alongside the
main atrium, so that laboratory staff could move
between floors in the research building without
having to go through security protocols.
“We were able to make that a highly transpar-
ent glazed space, which is probably one of the
first times that has been done, particularly within
Australia, because there are a lot of regulations
around that, and around what materials you can
have and the airflow movement that can occur.
“But we worked closely with the regulatory
Below:A glazed entrance slot
connects the box-like laboratory
building on the left to the
X-shaped workplace building on
the right, and leads to an atrium
between the arms of the X. Black
thermal chimneys above draw air
through the building to naturally
ventilate the workspaces.
Right:Perforated, folded
aluminium blades on the
workplace building provide
shading while still allowing
views out.