Kyabram Ambulance Station by Ed Ewers Architecture
The project is a small facility which was designed to accommodate Ambulance Victoria in a regional town. The project was largely budget driven and conceived from a simple, organised plan. Stick framing, roof trusses and a refined palette of external cladding was selected.
Initiatives:
• insulation: R7 in the ceiling, R4 in the walls and a concrete floor slab
• 6.5 star energy rating
• rainwater collection and recycling
• thermal insulation
• motion sensor controls to lighting
• double glazing
• lightweight wall structure
• plantation pine used
• steel framing
Era by Stanisic Associates
The brief included a SOHO-like environment with small working spaces, which was supplemented with supermarkets, shops, restaurants and cafes. The client also wanted a communal courtyard. The office component of the building achieves a simulated 4.5 star ABGR (5 star NABERS) based on CO2 emissions of 90 kg per sqm per annum.
Initiatives:
• designed to respond to breezes, rain, temperature, light and the sun
• main climatic innovation is the 6m wide central breezeway, a tempered semi-external space which splits the building into two slender forms. The breezeway provides a sink of continually replenished cool air for cooling the offices at each level
• a glazed roof profile allows the flow of cool, north-east breezes in summer from Elizabeth Bay and protection from rain-driven southerly winds in winter
• west and east facing windows are minimal to reduce heat gain. The southern from is orientated to the west and east and shaded by balcony overhangs and glass louvres
• mixed mode ventilation
• offices are naturally ventilated when the internal temperature is between 20 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius, at other times the VRV system will operate if required
• reduces water consumption by 42 per cent by collecting and storing rainwater, using water saving fittings and fixtures and low water use planting
Timboon Ambulance Station by Ed Ewers Architecture
The design was intended to present as an un-intimidating ‘glorified shed’ that could be constructed by small, regional builders with limited supervision. The building contractor elected to install the Colorbond Spandek wall cladding (in lieu of a roof plumber) and completed these works, including flashings, with precision.
Initiatives:
• Timboon, in central Victoria, typically experiences warm summers and cool winters
• the building incorporates superior performing insulation qualities (R7 ceiling, R4.0 walls, concrete slab floor) and considered siting, window placement and landscaping
• 6.5 star energy rating
• double glazing
• solar hot water system
• cement sheet and metal wall cladding
Nabiha by Breathe Architecture
Nabiha is an introspective cafe offering refuge to patrons from the barren suburban streetscape beyond its walls in Moonee Ponds. Housed in a quirky leftover space in a concrete office building, the space is long and thin with a high ceiling.
Initiatives:
• the fitout slots warm materials into the concrete and glass tenancy
• blood red linoleum table tops are dotted through the space
• recycled timber floorboards wrap up the wall and across the ceiling
• timber screens perforated with images from Melbourne artist Rona Green encase the curtain wall glazing and enclose the occupants
• a banquet seat by textile artist John Corbett runs the length of the cafe. The banquet is made entirely from vintage 80s leather jackets deconstructed and repurposed (pockets and zips included)
• provision for gas heating installed, while the use of minimal and unrefined materials ensure an efficient use of resources
• the largely plywood and class 1 ironbark interior fitout is articulated with recycled floorboards and linoleum
