Street wise

When you have a prime site sandwiched between two heritage buildings, there are two alternatives to mimic the period architecture or provide a striking contrast. McDougall Reidy & Co and Haydn & Rollett chose the latter option for this new commercial building in Stanley Street, Parnell, Auckland.

Designed by Warren & Mahoney Architects, the Slider Building, as it is known, follows the completion of the Carlaw Park development. Director Greg Reidy says the building was constructed to cater to an over-supply of tenants from the Carlaw Park site seeking large floor plates.

"The Slider Building complements that development, but its prominent street frontage provided an opportunity to deliver a more edgy architectural style," Reidy says. "This is a high-profile site, which can be seen from both Stanley Street and Beach Road we wanted to capitalise on that exposure."

Designed as two distinctive box-like forms that appear to slide past one another, the building features a similar material palette to the Carlaw Park project.

"Buildings on both sites feature permanent materials mainly concrete, timber, stone and glass. Here, we are using a combination of honed aggregate and fair-faced concrete panels on the exterior."

Reidy says the building is designed to 4-Star Green Star standard, with sustainability a key focus. The building features energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning systems.

"We have also provided highly efficient floor plates that provide a net lettable area of 2000m² across one floor, and plenty of natural light. In addition, the acoustic design was a priority to minimise noise from the railway line at the rear of the building."

Reidy says the ground and first floors are leased to the National Library, leaving the top two floors available.

For further details, contact McDougall Reidy & Co, Shed 24, Princes Wharf, 147 Quay Street, Auckland 1140, phone (09) 303 9655, fax (09) 303 9657. Website: www.mcdougallreidy.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas