31
Global architects GHD were in need of a new regional home
and went with this high-visibility low-rise to craft and office
fit-out of transparency and vibrancy.
The firm required an energy efficient tenancy to reduce
operating costs and also allow GHD to structure more
functional staff workspaces. The developer worked with
GHD to ensure that the building was the best fit possible.
Project architect Gerhard Giedrojc spoke with Peter Hyatt
about a design that adds to the community’s sense of self.
What did your client want when they approached you?
The basic brief for this building was to construct the
building on a budget commensurate with the leasing rates
available for other office buildings in Traralgon. That's the
first criteria. After that the developer/client wants what
looks reasonably attractive to the market. My job is to be
as persuasive as possible and to say, “Look, we can make
it better than reasonable. You can value add to that
building.” The whole role of an architect in these
processes is to value add for the client while considering
the building, its context and surroundings, to deliver the
client something unexpectedly good and better than
their baseline.
PH
GG
So you're helping them to re-imagine the possibilities?
Exactly, and it's an educative process, as well. The more
you work with certain people, the more comfortable
they become with you and your visions for them.
A comfortable, easy solution isn't necessarily the
best solution?
When you consider the longevity of the buildings, people
spend more on servicing their cars and consumables.
In some instances, they don’t consider cost in use in the
longer term, whether that's simply cleaning, maintenance,
materials or retrofitting. That’s often quite strange, and
I try and convey that to them. My advice is that they should
care, because it value-adds to their building. The bottom
line is increased goodwill and community benefit, a well
designed and maintained building delivers. It can be
a juggling act to convince people that this is actually
good for them.
GHD has produced very pleasing, functional interiors for
its offices and laboratory and coincidentally complements
the spirit of your glass streetscape elevation.
Yes. GHD looked to create a workshop and offices that
reflects the group