High Commendation LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Category 2 Medium Structures)
A series of circular architectural fabric structures
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Capital Square Podium project was part of an overall construction of 3 office towers and the Podium building. A series of circular architectural fabric structures were built on the terrace, using Ferrari Soltis 381 mesh to create ambient shaded areas during the day, and an integrated LED lighting system to produce an element of excitement at night-time. The architectural shade structures were constructed on the rooftop terrace of the Podium, alongside other world-class facilities like a gym, pool and auditorium.
Photo Credits: Con Macarlino, Shutterworks Photography
The concept for the development was to create a residential and commercial hub in the heart of Perth’s CBD. The towers are built on the historic site of the Old Emu Brewery, on the corner of Mount Street & Spring Street in Perth. The overall project has a strong focus on sustainability, aiming to achieve 3 separate 5-star Green ratings across design & energy. The client requested a unique set of circular architectural shade structures to compliment the upscale rooftop facilities of the Capital Square Podium building.
DESIGN / FABRICATION / INSTALLATION BRIEF
The shade structures are clustered on the outdoor area which is part of the Woodside Mining employee facilities on top of the Podium.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
The architectural intent reflected ring-shaped structures that created unique shadow lines during the daytime. We ended up creating a unique rafter system with plate work and architectural cut outs to achieve the finished product. Some of the rings are purely architectural and offer no structural support.
Given that the structures were to be seen from the ground, but also from the 3 towers above, special consideration was given to make sure they looked amazing from all angles. An integrated LED lighting system was installed, which shows off the circular shapes at night from the towers above. The rings therefore are prominent during the day time and at night.
MATERIALS
Ferrari Soltis FT381 shade cloth was used for the structures in Hammered Metal to match the vision of the client concept of the terrace.
The architectural steelwork was coated in a specialised metallic paint. This paint system demanded a strong attention to detail from our installation crew to ensure the delicate touch-up work was completed to a high standard.
FABRICATION
It was important to make sure that the structures were going to look amazing from all angles, due to the proximity of the 3 towers behind the Podium overlooking the terrace. The structural steel arms of the shade structures were plates with architectural cut outs.
The rings have complicated radius’ that required trial assembly before painting to ensure that everything would connect correctly and achieve the desired architectural intent.
The integrated lighting system, circular steelwork and mesh shade cloth all combined achieved the effects desired by the client and the rings stand out from many aspects.
COLLABORATION, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
The site was located on the 3rd level of a suspended slap beside a main road with extremely tight access which meant that standard access equipment couldn’t be used. This created a complex and difficult installation methodology to find a solution.
A large crane was required at ground level to lift & assemble the steelwork from far away with no sight lines, so all communication was by radio.
OTHER INFORMATION
The client was very pleased with the outcome of the architectural shade structures. The completed project met the design intent and the quality of the structures was exceptional.
Credits
Entrant: Fabritecture
Role played by Entrant: Designer / installer
Location: Perth, WA
Completed: July 2017
Client: Multiplex
Architect: Plan E Landscape Architects
Engineer: Greenup Design International
Builder: Multiplex
Fabricator: Fabric Solutions Australia
Photo credit: Con Macarlino, Shutterworks Photography
DPID 247 Ref Gallery: 2018_Images/Award_Entries/2023_Capital_Square
