Transforming a heritage building into a modern and functional office requires a delicate touch, in order to retain and respect its history.
The CBD's Fauldings Building was perfect for Primewest, a blank canvas for the client's strong vision for its new offices. It was most important to reference the early industrial use of the building in the design and detailing of new elements. The Federation Warehouse-style structure, originally built in 1898, had undergone subsequent extensions in 1906 and a number of renovations over the years. The building houses multiple uses, and the brief for the project was largely to convert the existing residential units into open-plan office space, while also bringing the building up to current requirements for safety and access.
Striking the perfect balance between the original Federation features and modern architecture for a corporate culture required lateral thinking by the architect. This is evident in the detailing of the new entry stair, bulkheads, and both glazed and solid partition walls. The open warehouse spaces presented Primewest the opportunity to facilitate the display of the client's private art collection and interpretive panels, illustrating the history of the building. Preserving it was achieved through stripping back the brickwork, floors, columns and windows to reveal their original form.
The new structure was to be sensitive to the historic fabric, with a clear delineation between old and new. This is evident through the use of recycled timber flooring from the former Perry Lakes Stadium, where the original markings are definitive from the existing timber floor and exposed existing brickwork. Contrasting with new concrete benchtops in the kitchens, they create a contemporary space that also celebrates the building's history.
PRIMEWEST OFFICE ARCHITECT | Meyer Shircore Architects BUILDER | Perkins Builders CLIENT | Primewest BRIEF | Retain the embodied energy of the original 1898 structure while creating a new open-plan office with modern facilities. BUILD TIME | 7 months FEATURES | Recycled timber flooring, new ceilings and entry statement, glazed partition walls, retention of original building products. LOCATION | Murray Street, Perth
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