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There’s a real permeability to the building that permits it
to readily open, close and adapt. Its openings, even to the
sky in the children’s play area, are all consistent with that
permeable nature.
It opens and shuts right along that water edge almost as an
extension of the Collins Street retail experience. This invites
people to participate and better experience boating activity
and community services.
The boating activity isn’t to do with luxury yachts or motorcruisers but canoes, paddle and dragon boats.
It is very much volunteer-based. It's that social capital of
people coming together for a shared, not-for-profit purpose.
It's often spontaneous and about the volunteers. It provides
some of that important social capital settings by which
people value each other and form healthy communities.
And it's really quite a utilitarian building that doesn’t require
marble, exotic finishes, or huge signage.
That's true. It’s simply a shed.
As a practice do you have a preference, or philosophy, for
utilizing local suppliers and materials in your pursuit of
sustainability?
Of course we do.
But many don't.
As you know, it's something we do rely on when specifying
products that we know. We want to ensure that there is as
much local content as possible. Glass is certainly high on
the list. We would much prefer to use local products for that
reason but also for the reason that we know what they are.
You know there are people who will support it. Builders often
substitute much of what we have specified. This means we
can’t be so sure about quality or their appropriateness and
capabilities. That's a serious issue in itself.
What about public liability issues once inferior plastics,
glass or steel fails?
It's unconscionable behavior. There can be significant
cost-savings in substituting materials and I'm sure the
proprietor and client are not benefiting from the full savings,
nor are they getting a material they can count on.
The public will, down the track, eventually pay for it.