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Architects: MARC&CO + coarchitecture
- Area: 650 m²
- Year: 2012
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Photographs:Jon Linkins
Text description provided by the architects. When the continued growth of Kane Construction required a new Head Office for Queensland based projects, they asked several architectural firms to submit proposals, resulting with Marc&Cobeing awarded the task of leading them through this exciting journey from concept to completion.
A master plan was developed, revealing astrategy to build on the most difficult part of the site, leaving the site facing the major street for a future development. Precast concrete was a viable method of construction on the narrow site.The new building became imagined as a considered concrete building within ordinary industrial surrounds.
The interior plan began as an urban warehouse, providing a centralized hub ofactivity, where visitors could directly engage with the energy and previously unseenmachinations of the business.
A series of meeting rooms on the street edge, overlook a park to the east, as well as looking back into the open office space.Dark zinc reveals around the windows frame and intensifies the view of sky and green. Double height volumes allow an ambiguous scale to the façade, and a transparency to the internal rooms.
The open office layout is conceived as a space that offers functionality and flexibility, with custom designed workstations to suit the specific program. The double height concrete colonnade to the north allows opens to office to a view of neighbouring hills and sky, and filters morning sunlight into the room.
The building achieves 5 greenstar rating. The space is naturally ventilated for most of the year, with automated windows operated by a weather station. The gas powered a/c only operates when internal conditions extend outside comfort levels. Rainwater is collected underground for use in toilets and irrigation. Materials used include cement-reduced concrete, recycled timber, recycled steelwork, low VOC products. The building also provides cyclist facilities, reduced car-parking and nearby public transport options.
