Bates Smart has designed a new building as one of four masterplanned towers for 735 Collins Street in Melbourne’s docklands.The building is being designed on behalf of developer Walker Corporation, which this week revealed that it had signed the Australian Tax Office (ATO) to the address.
Inspired by the original use of the docklands, the building is a series of stacked boxes and robust, textured elements that reference industrial container boxes.
Boxes are piled in alternate directions and around corners creating an abstract rhythm of smooth, textured and recessed elements.
In the context of Docklands, the structure will be “calm” and “refined”, Bates Smart director, Guy Lake, told Architecture & Design.
“It’s not highly coloured or highly articulated. We’re aiming for a refined building. Architecturally, the level of detailing and texture increases as you come down to the ground plane,” he said.
The low level facades will incorporate textured steel wall elements that will present an opportunity to integrate commissioned works of art.
The approach will also integrate the retail shop frontages into the architectural expression of the building. Clear, glazed areas are combined with series of robust steel textured elements and semi-obscure glazing, to provide a rich shopping experience with controlled opportunities for display.
In terms of urban design, two key axes are formed by pedestrianised laneways between the buildings, each with their own distinct character.
The East West laneway provides a major entry point into the project, enticing people from Collins Street with an axial view through the project and onto Yarra’s Edge project and Marina.
The North South lane is narrower, approximately 10 metres wide, and is characterised by a central line of trees and retail seating.
The team is aiming for an “ambitious” standard in environmentally sustainable design, given the tenant is a government agency, Lake said. A five star Green Star rating and five star ABGR standard is on the cards.
The development of 735 Collins Street brings Walker’s investment in Melbourne to $1.7bn, with projects extending across all industry sectors and including the Point Cook Town Centre, South Morang Homemakers and Business Centre and the luxury residential housing development, Main Drive Kew.
Executive chairman of Walker Corporation, Lang Walker, said: “Our vision for 735 Collins Street is to deliver a thriving new precinct for Melbourne. As one of the country’s largest commercial and mixed-use developments, we’re looking to set a benchmark for innovative architecture, leading environmental design and vibrant retail amenity to create an iconic Melbourne destination.”
