Group B: Brodie Rivers, Bradley Spencer, Emily Gibson, Gemma Tuttlebee.
The Inland Revenue Centre has a campus size of 32,500sqm2 and consists of seven buildings. The existing buildings share a common design language and material palette including concrete, masonry, steel, lead, glass bricks, and glazing. They are also naturally ventilated using thermal massing and thermal towers, along with underfloor fans, to regulate the temperature. These towers have automated lids that can be lifted during hot weather to create a gap under the roof, promoting natural airflow.
Fitzroy house is the focus of this study, the buildings use case will change from an ‘office’, to a ‘business school’ and a new entrance has been proposed in relation to the use change. The design objectives for the Fitzroy House project revolved around creating a sustainable and welcoming environment that connects the building's interior with its surrounding courtyard and broader campus. The primary focus was to optimise circulation and connectivity, with an emphasis on exploring various entrance placements to improve the flow of footfall through the courtyard, and within the building. To improve the current building three areas were identified: a stronger connection to the central greenspace, the removal of the dark and deep plan, and a more inviting entrance space. Sketches completed during a site visit highlighted key architectural elements that could inform future design developments. This included the exposed structure, the consistent ‘bay’ grid structure, and the materiality palette of brick, anthracite and glazing (FIG 1).
The building proposal aims to recycle or reuse the majority materials during the development. Six modules will be removed, with the roof, skylights, top floor window and the sill will remain unchanged whilst the brick columns, concrete window surround and previous windows will be reused and reclaimed within the interior fitout. The red brick will be used for the staircase. The remaining components will be reused at the base of the facade, retaining the use. This minimises waste and the carbon footprint produced by the development.
To foster a sense of openness and improve circulation, the design embraced the concept of a cut-through from the outer facade to the interior courtyard. This approach resulted in an atrium-like space that served as a welcoming entrance, allowing southern light to stream in and providing a warm, inviting atmosphere. The cut-through was designed to range from three to five bays, creating a central opening that not only optimized pedestrian movement but also offered a visual connection to the central greenspace.
To construct the new bays all of the non-structural items will be removed, leaving the floorplates and columns. The existing floor plates will be removed from three modules, with temporary horizontal and vertical steelwork holding the loads. As the existing floor plates sit within the columns, a small void will be created. This void will be filled with cast concrete and a permanent horizontal steel beam will be mounted to withhold the horizontal loads previously supported by the removed floor plates. Then all non-structural components and internal walls can be constructed.
The final design for Fitzroy House achieved a harmonious blend of sustainability, functionality, and visual appeal, meeting the project's design objectives and brief. Central to the design was an entrance that connected the building's north-facing facade with its interior courtyard, creating a seamless flow between these spaces. This connection was established through a pathway constructed from reused bricks, reinforcing the project's commitment to sustainability and its dedication to minimizing waste. The exterior design follows the existing material palette and rhythm, retaining the 1990s aesthetic and creating a seamless addition.
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