Urban village

Designing the 21st century version of the urban village, visualised by Australand for this location, was the work of an architectural practice that has been responsible for many of Melbourne's iconic and historic buildings.

Bates Smart chairman Roger Poole says the practice envisaged Freshwater Place as a comprehensive urban redevelopment project that would transform and integrate Melbourne's Southbank precinct. With Australand, the company developed a number of concepts and ideas.

"We see Freshwater Place as a high-density urban neighbourhood that links with other parts of the city. In placing the towers, we considered the view axes so existing sight lines were not spoilt and the towers didn't block each other," he says.

"To maintain the city's urban character, we designed a five-storey glass and masonry podium that creates a pedestrian environment. Streets and arcades here focus on a square, called Freshwater Place, which reflects the urban spaces found in other parts of the city."

Over the podium, the towers are designed as sculptural, crystalline forms clad in glass and metal. Their tall, slender proportions exude simplicity, and express the transparency of the design.

The commercial tower development created opportunities for a number of companies to relocate and refocus their businesses. With the help of architect and interior design practice Bates Smart, print and media service provider PMP has moved into new premises in the commercial tower.

Bates Smart's brief from PMP was to design a space that reflected and promoted the company's brand values and culture, and provided a flexible environment with opportunities for change and future growth. The company also wanted an office environment that projected it as a dynamic and successful organisation.

Director Jeff Copolov says these objectives were achieved by incorporating the main lobby into the reception area, to create the effect that PMP's offices are part of the building. Once in PMP's reception, an Emeryfrost-designed, two-storey feature graphic wall interprets the company's various business activities and interests, effectively introducing visitors to the company and brand. In addition, logos on the wall behind the reception desk list all the companies in the PMP group.

The company also wanted its new space to create workplace neighbourhoods that encourage interaction between all levels of staff, thus ensuring they have a sense of belonging.

"We designed an open-plan layout with offices attached to a central core, and used glazing between meeting rooms and breakout areas for a sense of community. Open-plan workstations ensure spaces can be reconfigured easily," says senior interior designer Mark Davis.

Contact Bates Smart, Melbourne: 1 Nicholson St, Victoria 3000, phone (03) 8664 6200, fax (03) 8664 6300. Email: melb@batessmart.com.au; Sydney: 243 Liverpool St, NSW 2010, phone (02) 9380 7288, fax (02) 9380 7280. Email: syd@batessmart.com.au, website: www.batessmart.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas