VISION Issue 35 | Page 43

43 Glass is critical to the success of this building through its permeability and transparency of the programs that exist here. People within a community need to see other members of their own community and how they engage with the centre. JEFF GABRIEL, ARCHITECT What have you learned from this project you might take with you to the next? The whole thing, I think. In regard to the architectonics, this is not something we would necessarily replicate just because it worked well here. That process of prolonged consultation means you work through all of those uncertainties and disappointments on-site before they happen and you establish long beforehand everyone's real expectations for a project. That has been a very successful learning experience we will certainly take with us. You obviously have a strong grasp on the need to specify glass that allows a project to shine inside and out. We understand where we have expertise and where we don't. It is a really important part of our process to let go of certain areas and fully entrust them to other people. It's our role to create a pathway that brings clients, consultants and user groups along with us. This overarching, collaborative approach is really appealing. We trusted Viridian’s calculations for such issues as sunlight, thermal efficiencies and clarity. We have no hesitation in benefiting from that sort of guidance and expertise. PROJECT Saltwater Community Centre, Point Cook, Victoria ARCHITECT Croxon Ramsay BUILDER Melbcon WINDOW INSTALLER/GLAZIER BT Windows GLASS SUPPLIER AND SPECIALIST SUPPORT Viridian PRINCIPAL GLAZING Viridian ThermotechTM IGU using SolTechTM Neutral SIZE 1640m2 BUDGET $7.3 million