New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 35/01C | Page 21

Previous pages:Standing
seven-levels tall, the new
VicRoads building is a strong,
sculptural tower that leads the
way for further redevelopments
in Melbourne’s Sunshine district.
Left:With no room for a podium,
a lifted corner ‘canopy’ brings
street engagement for the tower.
Below:Vibrant anodised louvres
echo the foliage of the prominent
gum tree adjacent to the site.
a more pedestrian-friendly environment generally.”
With no parking underground, most of the
bottom two floors of the building is car parking.
These levels are clad in a band of perforated grey
mesh that naturally cross ventilate the spaces.
With no room to mitigate the size of the building
with a podium, the architects instead raised up the
entry corner of the building as a welcoming canopy.
VicRoads has a retail store at ground level
and occupy the two mid floors of the building.
To activate the two levels of offices and avoid
a separate culture developing between floors, a
large staircase penetrates the floorplate.
“We designed the stair to loosely echo the
forms on the exterior of the building,” says Tabain.
“Perforated aluminium sheeting on the bannisters
and upstairs surround provides privacy and an
attractive shadow play.”
Besides its colourful cladding blades, the
VicRoads building is green in another way, too.
Natural cross ventilation, a wealth of bicycle parks
and six shower facilities all add to its sustainable
credentials, as does the rigorous sourcing of low
VOC materials, finishes and furniture throughout.
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