Victorian ash timber salvaged from the Black Saturday bushfires is a key design feature of the new 6-star government services office built as part of the revitalisation of central Dandenong.
The timber, which was salvaged by VicForests and milled by Montana in Montrose, is used extensively internally and externally, and is certified under the internationally recognised PEFC scheme.
The $80 million building built by Grocon is a landmark designed to act as a catalyst for further investment in central Dandenong - a 15 to 20-year state government project that is Australia’s second-biggest urban renewal project after Melbourne’s Docklands.
Overseen by Places Victoria (formerly VicUrban), it involves $290 million in state government spending and is expected to generate $1 billion in private investment. Seven hectares of central Dandenong are being redeveloped, with new buildings and new streets and some existing streets extended, in the area between the main city artery, Lonsdale Street, which has been made into a tree-lined thoroughfare, and the railway station.
The government office has been created by the partnership of architects Hassell, consulting engineers Umow Lai, and Daniel Grollo’s construction company, Grocon. The building itself belongs to Bruno Grollo.
The project has earned six green stars without reliance on elaborate on-site generation or other technologies common to many 6-star buildings. Project manager Andrew Poulton told The Age that the rating was achieved through water and energy measures.
The government service office is an integrated fit-out over eight levels with a striking cantilevered section above the footpath. At the ground level there are three large double-height foyer spaces as a public face to the building.
Pocket atriums in strategic locations around the perimeter of the building pour natural light deeper into the floor plate. On level 4 is the Loggia - an outdoor landscaped garden featuring timber - and conference rooms.
Robin Deutschmann, senior associate with Hassell, said the building had been designed as more than just a commercial office. ”Public servants in it have large interface with the public. The idea of timber is a community notion - bushfire timber - and the critical link to the community experience,” he told The Age.
The windows are adorned with a frit. Mr Deutschmann said the frit mitigated the glare and heat, and allowed use of a more transparent, clearer glass. ”Otherwise we would have needed a darker glass,” he said.
The frit, designed by Hassell with graphic designer Buro North, is a pattern that reflects the cosmopolitan culture of Dandenong based on motifs from local community groups - European, African, Afghan and Indian. ”It was an opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity,” Mr Deutschmann said.
The Loggia overlooks the new civic street, Halpin Way, that is under construction and which will be a new retail precinct linking the rail station and Lonsdale Street. ”The building steps to allow light to filter to the street,” Mr Deutschmann said.
The kiln-dried timber was not treated. ”It’s the focal point of three entrances, gives warmth, a humane, relaxed feel, along with green-planted walls,” he said.
Mr Poulton said Grocon chief Daniel Grollo had challenged the builders to achieve the 6-star rating. It was eventually reached with 77 points - two points above the 6-star target. Key sustainability features include a solar hot water plant; a 40,000-litre below-ground rainwater tank for toilets and irrigated landscaping; fire protection test water in a 6000-litre water recirculation tank; waterless urinals and water-efficient fixtures; a chilled water system with air-cooled chillers that reduce water consumption; and mechanical underfloor ventilation air distribution.
PEFC timber certification also contributes points to the sustainability criteria of the Green Building Council of Australia.
The building has been designed to integrate with the civic centre and city square to be built next door. South East Water and the Australian Tax Office are also talking with bidders about building new offices in central Dandenong on the other side of the new building.
