Melbourne-based architecture and interior design studio Carr has completed a robust and breathable commercial building in Collingwood, an inner suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The design of “116 Rokeby” echoes the area’s industrial materiality combined with a pragmatic approach to sustainability. The building’s beautifully brutal facade with its strong architectural repetition is both utilitarian and refined.
Collingwood has a history of art and creativity that dates back to the early 20th century. Once home to warehouses and factories, providing creative minds with affordable spaces in which to work and live, the area’s gradual gentrification has been shaped by its artistic identity. Collingwood is emerging as a sought-after Melbourne address — the location of Aesop’s Australian HQ perhaps typifies its gentrification — and yet the neighborhood retains a certain gritty appeal. 116 Rokeby is described as “a direct response to the growing demand amongst young creatives looking for a work locale that is at once inspiring and central.” Moreover, the building complements its surroundings: “Inspired by the conditions of the site, rather than globalized trends as seen in much of our built urban form and fabric, 116 Rokeby will be a benefit to Collingwood and the wider built context,” says Stephen McGarry, Director, Carr (Architecture & Interiors).
Figurehead, a Melbourne-based construction company, is the project’s client and builder. The company’s passion for longevity in design innovation and sustainability is embodied in the development of 116 Rokeby. “The design is conceived to create a ‘breathing space’, which represents our vision for this future office,” says Carr. “It is founded on the desire to shape spaces that harness the fundamental characteristics of abundant natural light, controlled fresh air, adaptability in space, and environmental sustainability – all set within a strong built form.” Light and air are two key natural elements of the project. Punctuations in the podium slabs, for example, help to create a series of light wells that spread light throughout the ground-floor spaces.
116 Rokeby has eleven levels and two basement carparks with floor plates that are designed to be adaptable and dynamic. The tower and podium respond to the climatic conditions of the site. The building’s modern architectural form is strong on its narrower eastern and western facades — similar to Collingwood’s fragmented industrial palette, these facades combat heat gain with their angled blades while providing views and natural light. A diaphanous, operable double-skin north-facing facade prioritizes environmental sustainability and innovation. “The double-skin facade is used as an architectural device to control heat gain, daylight, glare, and air quality, while naturally ventilating the floor plates,” says Carr. The south-facing facade provides a canvas for a commissioned First Nations artwork: “Reflections of a Breathing Space” respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which 116 Rokeby sits — the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people — paying homage to their stories and history.
The design of 116 Rokeby incorporates a passive approach to the building’s massing and articulation. The double-skin facade includes a plenum and delivers a chimney stack effect by releasing warm air through a series of chimneys at the top level; this facade helps to naturally heat and cool the building and provides an abundance of daylight. Energy-efficient lighting, smart controls, photovoltaic panels, a significant degree of landscaping (on the ground floor, podium, and rooftop), and an all-electric building approach, add to the overall comfort and well-being of the building’s users. 116 Rokeby has a “Climate Active Carbon Neutral” status certified by the Australian Government, a Platinum WELL Certification, and a 5.5 NABERS Energy Rating (National Australian Built Environment Rating System).
116 Rokeby’s exterior architecture blends seamlessly with its clean and minimal interiors. In addition to the building’s offices, amenities include a rooftop space with outdoor meeting areas, a large communal kitchen, a small and flexible ground-floor retail unit, and “end-of-trip” changing rooms, showers, and bicycle storage.
