COMMERCIAL AWARD
Jones Coulter Young Pty Ltd for 182 St Georges Terrace.
IN 2000, the Hawaiian Property Group approached Jones Coulter Young to undertake a feasibility study to consider a range of options for 182 St Georges Terrace. Among the options was demolition and reconstruction to full refurbishment.
Built in the 1950s, the 10-storey building was distinctly out of date, but enjoyed twice the plot ratio permitted for new construction.
This prompted the decision to undertake a full refurbishment, which included the latest theories of office management and design.
Jones Coulter Young architect Peter Hobbes said the building had been totally rebranded and included two new facades.
“The terrace is often considered an austere, conservative place, and can be quite bleak,” he said.
“182 St Georges Terrace is the first building that has used colour.”
The building’s main entrance remains on St Georges Terrace, but the Hay Street façade has been emphasised in the refurbishment to include balconies on every floor, Mr Hobbes said.
“There are two internal light wells, and windows on each floor that can open out and let some natural air in,” he said.
“When the air-conditioning goes off at five o’clock, tenants can open a window, or go sit out on their balconies and feel a little less like they are in an artificial environment.
“There is a strong market for boutique office space, and we aimed to cater for this while embracing a flexible paradigm of office space.”
Judges said the building added a point of differentiation and a refreshing aesthetic to St Georges terrace.
“The interior spaces meet the changing requirements of building culture with consistent and elegant detailing throughout,” they said.
“The rear northern floor space has been successfully utilised for staff and meeting facilities with a playful economic solution to the rear elevation completing a highly successful commercial package.”
Electrical, data, mechanical and hydraulic systems were also fully refurbished in the building.
