Sections
2
Designed to enhance the western end of
Collins Street with a bold and elegant landmark
building, which derives its gracefulness from
its slender proportions, the site’s main asset is
the well-proportioned and decorative heritage
building, which was built in 1908.
There is an opportunity to reinstate the
original features and enhance the reading of
the building through reconnecting internal
spaces with the facade proportions and the use
of a refi ned entry foyer, connected to the street
through the re-instated original entry doors.
By setting the tower back from the existing
heritage facade and reinstating its original
grandeur, the proposed development seeks to
create a landmark building both at street level
and in the city skyline context.
The narrow site has required a rethinking
of the structure of tall buildings. Through an
inventive structural system combined with
cutting edge construction techniques, we have
been able to reinvent the tall tower completely.
Turning the building inside out and moving
the structural core to the perimeter of the
building eliminates columns completely,
allowing the height and slenderness of the
building to be maximised.In this Sections^2 we look at Collins House, which was
designed by Bates Smart for the Golden Age Group.
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN /SECTIONS2 / JUL-SEP 201948ADQ3_048_050_sections_V2.indd 48 29/7/19 5:26 pm