VISION Issue 15 | Page 35

35 Apart from the improved transparency and daylight what are the other benefits? To make it work as a four star, green-star rated project is not easy in a retro-fitted building of its age. There are a lot of sustainability initiatives, not least remediation of the site contaminated by industrial use. There was an understanding that the building could become an asset and a contribution to the social fabric of Lithgow. You use a wide selection of glass types from fritted, acoustic to energy performance. What was behind that selection? We had various heritage and architectural issues. We worked very hard to ensure the right glass ended up in the right place. The stippled glass relates to its particular area where we need filtered daylight. There were also sustainability values and compliance with Section J of the building code. In addition there were green-star ratings. We chose performance glass on west-facing facades where there is plenty of solar penetration. We didn’t want to rely on an overly air-conditioned space, so the right glass ensured the air-conditioning and mechanical systems perform to their best. Then there are other areas where we wanted double-glazing for sound proofing from the street. There is a whole range of specific glazing responses and Viridian was able to cover every one of those. The design is not so much a story of inside or outside, but about the transitional zone reminiscent of the traditional veranda. The stippled glass canopies for instance, perform a similar role to the veranda that feathers its building edge. You’re right. Apart from a small, storm lobby that was it.  We’ve added those intermediate spaces that you really need and I think they’re the places where people now experience that transition. That glass canopy provides a lovely inside out quality shelter. Red steel beam as reference to structure’s steel-making origins is contrasted by high end transparency.