A towering experiment in colour and design, this now famous façade is created with 347 louvres painted in 16 different colours. The palette for the shades is inspired by the drought-stricken Australian landscape, ironically, the architects note, given the wet la Nina weather systems present for its first years in existence.
IN BRIEF
Provide high quality residential apartment accommodation situated within the academic precinct of Melbourne that address the needs of professionals/ academics with a desire to live and work in the city; while complementing the level of eccentric design in this area.
ARCHITECT’S WORDS
Sitting on a 900 sqm block, A’Beckett Tower is a prototype for high-density residual infill. The transition from podium to tower is treated non-traditionally, with a thin veneer of apartments surrounding the carpark, which is accessed via elevators for cars, liberating the street front from ramps. 31 A’Beckett Street contains 287 apartments with a carpark that spans seven levels and is concealed from the street behind the residential rooms.
The slender tower adds a new landmark to the RMIT precinct around Swanston Street. The use of colour and pattern continues the dialogue that has been established by existing buildings in the area, further reinforcing the increasingly strong identity of the precinct. The northern façade looks outwards towards the suburbs and beyond.
The colour scheme of the sunshading responds to this aspect and is derived from the tones of the Australian landscape. The southern façade is fully glazed and looks back to the city.
The finish relates directly to the predominant use of curtain wall glazing in the CBD. The building mass is broken into a podium/tower arrangement, with the podium levels relating in scale to the adjacent RMIT building on the east.
A local artist was commissioned to produce an artwork for the perforated screens to the carpark levels on the south. The image deals with the laneway art and layering of posters, which you will find in neighbouring streets.
ACCOLADES
- Dulux Colour Awards, Best residential Exterior & Grand Pix Award 2011
- AIA Victoria Awards, Multi-Residential Award 2011
- Asia Pacific Property Awards - Architecture, Best high rise australia 2011
- AIA National Awards, Residential - Multiple Housing (Commendation) 2011
PRODUCTS
METAL BALUSTRADE
WEBFORGE AUSTRALIA
CARPET
TUFTMASTER CARPETS
GRANITE TILES
CLASSIC CERAMICS IMPORTERS PTY LTD
JOINERY FINISHES
LAMINEX
ENTRY MATTING
BIRRUS MATTING SYSTEMS
ROOFING
BLUESCOPE LYSAGHT
BATHROOMS
KADO
CAROMA
DTAC
MIZU
GENX
PAINTS & FINISHES
DULUX
FIBRE CEMENT SHEET
JAMES HARDIE WALL & FLOOR PRODUCTS
ALUMINIUM CLADDING
ALUCOBOND ARCHITECTURAL
ALPOLIC
FLOORS
REINFORCED CONCRETE
EXTERNAL WALLS
PRECAST CONCRETE / RENDERED MASONRY AND/OR CLADDING OVER
DIVIDING WALLS
PRECAST WALLS WITH PLASTERBOARD LINING
INTERNAL WALLS
STUD FRAMED PLASTERBOARD WALLS
ROOF
REINFORCED CONCRETE WITH WATERPROOF MEMBRANE
WINDOWS/GLAZING
HIGH PERFORMANCE DOUBLE GLAZING
FULL HEIGHT BI-PARTING SLIDING DOORS
EXTERNAL BALUSTRADE
CLEAR GLASS IN BLACK ALUMINIUM FRAME
EXTERNAL SUNSHADES
POWDERCOATED ALUMINIUM CLADDING OVER ALUMINIUM FRAME
BALCONIES/TERRACES
FULLY DRAINED WITH CERAMIC TILES
CARPARK
REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE WITH CLEAR SEAL FINISH
HOT WATER SERVICE
CENTRAL GAS FIRED HOT WATER SYSTEM
HEATING/COOLING
INDIVIDUAL REVERSE CYCLE A/C SYSTEM
BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY EXHAUST
DUCTED EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH EXTERNAL DISCHARGE TO FACADE
KITCHEN EXHAUST
DUCTED SYSTEM WITH EXTERNAL DISCHARGE
COOKING FACILITIES
GAS HOT PLATE
ELECTRIC OVEN
DISH DRAWER
SECURITY/ACCESS CONTROL
AUDIO INTERCOM WITH REMOTE DOOR ACCESS CONTROL
SECURITY ACCESS TO MAIN ENTRY AND LIFTS
SECURITY ACCESS TO CARPARK
BUILDING INTERCOM
AUDIO/VISUAL INTRCOM INTEGRATED WITH ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM
FIRE PROTECTION
SMOKE DETECTION AND THERMAL DETECTOR SYSTEM
INDIVIDUAL SMOKE DETECTORS
LIFTS
2NO. SECURED LIFTS
ENTRY LOBBY
FLOOR FINISHES - SELECTED TILES
WALL FINISHES - COLOURBACK GLASS, PLASTERBOARD
CEILING FINISHES - PLASTERBOARD
LIGHTING - SELECTED TRACK LIGHTS, RECESSED DOWN-LIGHTS
TYPICAL APARTMENT LOBBY
FLOOR FINISHES - VITRIFIED CERAMIC TILE
WALL FINISHES - PLASTERBOARD
CEILING FINISHES - PLASTERBOARD
LIGHTING - LINEAR FLUORESCENT BATTENS AND RECESSED DOWN-LIGHTS
LIVING/DINING ROOMS
FLOOR FINISHES - WOOL CARPET
CEILING AND WALL FINISHES - PLASTERBOARD
KITCHENS
FLOOR FINISHES - CERAMIC TILE
JOINERY FINISHES - LAMINEX
BATHROOMS
FLOOR AND WALL FINISHES - WHITE CERAMIC TILE WITH BLACK GROUT
VANITY - LAMINEX
