Projects

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Victoria—a champion for balance between human activity and environmental protection—sought a fit-out solution for its head office that is sensitive to the environmental envelope. The EPA took the opportunity to redevelop a pre-loved building into one of Melbourne's most sustainable commercial office buildings—one that would not only comply with the 6-Star Green Star parameters (in fact to satisfy this Green Star rating as a minimum) but also push the sustainability philosophy beyond the building technology into the literal spatial experience.

A key aspect of the brief was to create a single home base upon which the organisation could develop its identity outside of the traditional government department parameter. In line with the Green Star criteria, extensive processes were put in place to ensure all aspects of the design and building process were sustainable. In addition, the building has been organised to support the ongoing implementation of 'green' initiatives by the EPA.

The existing building was strategically examined to map the way in which the quality of the built area changed in response to environmental factors. The space planning responded directly to the environmental conditions of the space, as the design sought to create opportunities for maximising views, natural light, extensive indoor planting and building layout efficiency. Access floors have been raised throughout the tenancy to support the installation of all in-floor services, including under floor air delivery, power and data reticulation. The ceilings are exposed to celebrate the history of the space, revealing its decommissioned services and original structure, and reemploying them as 'story-telling' elements. The impact of light moving through the interior volume was taken as a primary cue, with naturally occurring 'light paths' being identified as boundaries for the built space. As such, built forms were approached as 'shade pavilions' supporting the EPA's move to a more lifestyle-orientated working environment. A suite of alternative working spaces complements individual work points, which flow around the built forms, embracing new architectural interventions including a central atrium and an interconnecting stair.

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