34
Vision Magazine
Were there issues about working with a
demanding client that made your job especially
testing?
Given the prestige brand and value of goods,
you selected Viridian’s AssaultGuardTM. Can you
explain that choice?
RW: This retail is certainly different from almost
any other store. It’s configured as a series of
interlocking rooms for display, sitting and changing
rooms. There isn’t that open archetypal space
full of clothes racks. Customers proceed through
a sequence of rooms that offer very specific
experiences of style and quality.
BT: It provides a barrier to forced entry, being
designed to resist attack from a variety of hand
tools typically used.
Can you elaborate on the new circulation strategy
that frees up the previously congested space?
BT: The building now has three entrances – Flinders
Lane, The Hyatt Hotel and Russell St. This didn’t
concern us because the ground and first floor were
very much something the retailer would manage.
They proposed a staircase in a quite pivotal position
and once this was located the rest of the design
coalesced. It addressed access and this felt like the
way it should have always been. The interior design
role and our role were very separate.
What signal is the design intended to send?
RW: The building has been respected. It’s very rare
to see that in Melbourne. This was a very run-down
building. I think people recognise that a pretty
neglected classic building has been brought back
to life.
How important is the role of glass in creating that
seductive storefront given the importance of
attraction to and the invitation for the passer-by?
BT: Natural light levels inside were extremely
poor and window-sills were considerably above
floor level which meant quite obstructed views
into and from the ground level. Changing the sill
height levels improved the whole ambience of the
interiors. There are wonderful views into and from
the street at ground level for instance and the steel
framed windows above add a lovely verticality in
those horizontal spaces with views towards the
street trees.
Are there any tell-tale signs that the glazing is
such an impact resistant, high-performance glass
type?
RW: One of the nice things about the glass is that
it doesn’t immediately stand out as some specialty
type of glass nor compromise views in either
direction. Clarity and light transmission is fantastic.
What were the main energy issues?
RW: The challenge of the main elevation is the
heat loss with such big glass panels that had to
be double-glazed and insulated with argon-filled
glass on the upper floors. Ground floor uses
AssaultGuardTM. Because of orientation and overshadowing, heat gain isn’t really such an issue. The
main Russell Street elevation is relatively narrow
and the bigger presence along Flinders Lane is
south facing.
What assistance did Viridian’s technical team
provide?
RW: Viridian’s website is very good. It has the
performance characteristics and technical data
easily accessible. What else would you use
but Viridian glass? The product range is really
extensive. When you consider that, why would you
go anywhere else? They also installed all of the
glass throughout the project and did a flawless job.
The low and high points of the project?
RW: Excavation of an entirely new sub-floor was a
huge test. It required perimeter piles and concrete
slab laid on top without disturbing the structure.
Opening up the floors and allowing