FLINDERS & SPENCER CONSTRUCTION

Whist in Melbourne I came across a development taking place on the corner of Flinders and Spencer Streets. Couldn't be certain but from the exterior view at current stage of construction it appears so be some sort of apartment complex or office development - either way its construction offered some interesting photos!

Temporary orange props support the cantilevering floor/roof slabs. Also note the purple safety rails around each edge

An internal view shows the use of what appears to be Bondek or a similar product, with services hanging from above. Again, orange safety mesh had been used to protect workers whilst on site.

These out-of-focus shots shows an extensive network of services and ducts which are connected directly to the Bondek ceiling. It is likely that this will all be covered by a floating ceiling.

Pre-cast concrete panels have been used to clad certain sections of the external facade. It is difficult to see in these photos but the grain from the timber formwork has been exposed and is used as a decorative element on each panel.

FEDERATION SQUARE

It was in many ways relieving to visit a site of public architecture where the exposure of construction techniques is celebrated and embraced as opposed to being hidden behind decorative facades. Prior to visiting this site I was not a huge fan of the Federation Square complex, however analysis of its designer's approach and elaborate design have led to an appreciation of its unique form.

From www.labarchitecture.com:

"industrialisation no longer equates to standardisation, but instead allows for unique differentiation through material variety and surface figuration. only three cladding materials; sandstone, zinc (perforated and solid) and glass have been used within a modular basis established by the triangular pinwheel grid. this fractally incremental system uses a single triangle, whose proportion is maintained across the single tile shape, the panel composed of five tiles and the construction module of the mega-panel composed of five panels."

Detail showing an example of the complex connection points of the inner shell

Exterior glass facade with exposed steel framework

Detail showing sandstone cladding fixed to structure through steel brackets

Triangular sandstone and zinc cladding panels

This photo shows the corrugated iron ceiling with light wells

THE NEW MELBOURNE CONVENTION CENTRE

Images courtesy of www.nharchitecture.net

From www.mcec.com.au:

Construction of the spectacular new Melbourne Convention Centre is currently underway with expected completion in 2009. The new centre will be fully integrated with the existing Exhibition Centre making the MCEC the largest combined exhibition and convention centre in Australia.

The Melbourne Convention Centre’s flexible layout can be tailored to fit gatherings of any size. The contemporary design features an 18-metre-high glass wall façade fronting the Yarra River, a timber-clad, fan-shaped 5,000-seat plenary hall that can be sub-divided into smaller tiered conference venues, a ballroom and 32 meeting rooms of various sizes.

The new Melbourne Convention Centre has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star environmental rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, the first in the world for a convention centre.

Strict security prevented access onto the site so photos were taken at long range. The following external views were taken from across Yarra River, in May 2008:

This photo shows the extensive scaffolding required for the project

Innovative construction management has been demonstrated on this project. Constrained by its location in the busy central business district, a vacant block on the opposing side of the Yarra River has been utilised as a storage facility for construction materials (see below). Materials are then shipped across the river via a floating crane when required.

These photos were taken whilst external cladding was being fixed to the outer facade. Here we can see how steel batons have been used to fix the cladding materials.

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION CENTRE

Early in the semester I decided the Melbourne Exhibition Centre would be ideal for exploring long-span construction techniques, as the building itself offers 30,000sqm of clear span floor space. I was disappointed to discover that, upon arrival, I would not be granted permission to take internal photographs, so apologies for only providing external view. I hope that through the following photographs and text the long-span construction techniques of this building can still be appreciated.

Thin steel columns, closely spaced, support the external roof structure

This photo was taken from the internal concourse. It shows what appears to be steel rafters projecting into the internal exhibition space.

These external views show the underside of the overhanging roof. From these photos an appreciation is developed toward the construction processes employed in this project. It is interesting to note that regardless of scale, the same basic structure prevails, with steel rafters, purlins and safety mesh shown here.

Typical of most public architecture I have visited, the aesthetics are so refined that it is difficult to locate evidence of construction techniques. This connection detail between the glass facade and steel columns was included because it was one of the few construction joints that remained exposed.

SOUTHERN CROSS STATION

The redevelopment of Southern Cross Station (formerly Spencer Street Station) began in October 2002 and was completed in late 2006. It was designed by Grimshaw Architects in collaboration with structural engineers Winward Structures.



A central feature of the design is its wave-shaped roof which covers the entire city block. The roof's form has been generated by the performative requirements of the station and plays a crucial role as part of the environmental envelope. It was developed in response to the hot external climate and the internal need for diesel extraction and ambient cooling via natural ventilation. While it is waterproof to the outside it 'breathes' internally, allowing smoke, diesel particles and contaminates to be discharged.

The individual roof moguls act as air reservoirs that collect hot air together with the train's diesel fumes. The hot air and fumes are drawn through the roof, via louvres at the apex of each mogul, by the prevailing winds. These north-west and south-west winds define the valleys that cut across the roof form, ensuring natural ventilation year round. This solution is a contemporary reinterpretation of the historic shed roofs of nineteenth century Europe. The roof intrinsically expresses its own function and its rhythmical beauty is almost incidental.

(above text courtesy of www.grimshaw-architects.com)

This detail shows the extensive connection between the roof structure and the internal support columns. All plumbing and electrical services are contained within the columns.

Highly refined connection detail between steel roof structure and glass facade.

Spencer Street facade viewed internally from inside station


The following images are courtesy of Wikipedia.org:

Work on the new roof in January 2005


Construction work inside the station in late 2005

So renowned is the design of Southern Cross station that it has been awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects' Lubetkin Prize for most outstanding building outside the European Union.

theage.com.au:

SOUTHERN CROSS WINS PRESTIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE AWARD