Brownfields sites bring their own challenges, but there can be many benefits to redevelopment. Land costs are often less, and such projects can provide an opportunity to improve the public domain by enriching the entire area.
This boutique office development in West Perth, known as 28 Troode Street, highlights a sustainable solution to a brownfields site. Designed by The Buchan Group, the building needed to accommodate the site's steep gradient and triangular shape, while simultaneously providing an appealing office and a Green Star-rated work environment.
Architect Lou Cotter says the site was originally contaminated scrubland that incorporated a small vacant mechanics' workshop, which was covered in graffiti. However, there were some positive aspects the location beside the Mitchell Freeway meant there was easy access to the CBD via road and rail. There were also good city views.
"The site clearly had potential," the architect says. "The brief called for a flexible design the building needed to be able to accommodate a number of small tenancies, or a single tenant occupying the whole building, which is in fact what eventuated in the interim.
"We wanted to incorporate passive design principles, so it was essential to maximise natural daylight, while minimising solar gain. Consequently, there is full-height glazing on the north and south facades to provide natural light to all office areas. The ground floor on the street elevation is set back from the level above to create a covered pedestrian space. The generous eaves also help to reduce glare within the building.
"For further sun protection, we introduced large vertical sunscreens to this facade. These have a distinctive profile that is echoed by the sculptural stainless steel cladding on a column at the entry. The same profile can be seen on suspended timber blades on the ceiling inside the reception area."