;)
SEARCH
OR VIEW ALL PROJECTSOR GO BACK TO SEARCH RESULTSOR VIEW ALLPROJECTS BY ARCHITECT GIBBON HAMOROFFICE PROJECTS2002 PROJECTSPROJECTS IN SYDNEYPROJECTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY TYRONE BRANIGAN |
The former National Bank of Australia building in Sydney's Braodway district, has a noticeably bold street presence and site exposure thorugh its freestanding corner position.
It is strategically located within the commercial, retail and new burgeoning residential hub of Broadway.
It is for these reasons that the building was chosen as the site for the New Schwarzkopf Style Salon ~ Sydney's answer to the international selection of Style Salons now being established.
As part of the public profile lift, as well as for the new international Style Salons, a new Corporate Identity (CI) has been developed.
Once the building had been secured the architectsr role was to review the new "CI" and actively participate with a number of 'Salon presentations'. From this background, it became clear that the direction of the design concept for the Broadway concept centre had to be functional, innovative and even 'international', while retaining the flexibility to allow a broad range of operations, formats and flexible uses.
The challenge was to integrate the new 'ASK' (Academy Schwarzkopf) corporate image into the physical limitations of the heritage building ~ simultaneously enhancing both images.
This was achieved by establishing a level of contemporary architectural design that would complement the envelope of this existing high profile historic building.
The design language for the proposed refurbishment of the building is derived from the interplay of a sleek, crisp modern interior, with a fashionable streak - juxtapositioned against and within, the highly detailed original envelope of a Federation style Bank (which reflected the prosperity of iys original construction period in the early 1920's).
Functionality was achieved through facility planning and programming of the main training areas.
The existing architecture is strikingly characterised by its vaulted ceiling and its symmetrical planning. This formality is pursued in detail in the window openings and framing and all of the existing joinery which was retained and restored.
GH&A created a new geometry to reciprocate the existing formal spaces within. This not only accentuated the heritage profile of the building but provided for unimpeded movement within the various functional areas of the new salon and obliterated the exposed negative spaces.
Mirrored storage sliding units were conceived into the space as additional work station requirements and for utilitarian reasons. The storage units and the aluminium louvres over manifest themselves as a service spine. They cleverly camouflage, at the higher level, all mechanical, air conditioning and ventilation units as well as electrical / lighting and AV conduits and cables.
To the lower level the space created allows for the level storage of the presentation equipment, as well as 80 theatrette lecture chairs, (when not in use for demonstrations or training).
The curved shape of the stage wastes no space. It is positioned along the new grid and, underneath, houses a flexible catwalk that can be drawn out into the main space for fashion or hair parades and exhibitions. The stage is framed on both sides by red colourback glass panels, which assist with visual orientation.
Cabinetry is generally double-sided, allows for product display to the public face, while AV and lighting system controls and other equipment is hidden behind.
While the hair wash area is simple in planning, its execution, however, within the heritage rooms of the building itself was a considerable challenge.
New flooring material, raised floor areas, and underfloor ducts were introduced to allow for the myriad of services required.
The colour counter is designed as a 'works station'; to be practical, simple and ironically with very little detail and clutter. Maintenance for this high use area, thus has become straightforward and minimal.
The lighting throughout the complex was in itself a further challenge. Having made the essential decision that the historic detail of the building was to be retained and enhanced, it in effect negated the design teams ability to surface fix lighting (or for that matter other items generally).
The solutions adopted allows for multi-channel integrated lighting tracks to be fixed to a gantry system which is carefully suspended on stainless steel cables from the vaulted ceiling. The now integrated light track and gantry have allowed for the re-orientation of the internal functionality of the main hall to a new grid giving maximum lux coverage, and being a design element reflected in the layout of the floors and the workstations as well.
The collective innovations in the space planning and thereafter the fabrication of the fitout collectively contribute to the flexibility of the space.
Furniture items are all movable. Studio chairs are either stackable or have castors. Lighting and AV systems are all programmable to the different training, presentation, showroom and workshop settings. Power is distributed throughout the area hidden points. Storage units are all in designated locations for convenience of use. Marine quality hardware has been used for sliding storage tracks hardware for both ease of use and longevity.
|
|
