5 October 2011 – Bushfire affected timber was used in the Hassell – designed six star Green Star government services office building to be completed at the end of the year in Dandenong, Victoria.
Senior associate at Hassell, Robin Deutschmann, told The Fifth Estate timber was sourced from trees destroyed in the Kinglake area during the 2009 bushfires.
“The trees themselves were burnt but the timber inside was fine for use. It was treated and then kiln dried before being used in the timber cladding,” he said.
It is believed that the company is the first to use timber in this way.
The 14,100 square metre building with retail space, awarded the six star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, is part of the VicUrban-led Revitalising Central Dandenong project.
It co-locates four state government departments – Human Services, Justice, Education and Early Childhood Development and Planning and Community Development.
Sustainable design included a patterned frit element to the external glazing of the building, designed by Buro North and referring to the cultural diversity of Dandenong.
It acts as a veil to reduce thermal heat load and solar glare while still allowing natural daylight to permeate the building’s interior
The open plan office space is serviced by underfloor ventilation, clad in fritted glass and is linked through naturally ventilated pocket atria.
The conference area is connected to a landscaped outdoor terrace and there are extensive internal and external public spaces.
Hassell are the architects, interior designers and landscape architects for the Dandenong revitalisation project.
Other consultants include: Umow Lai, sustainability and services consultants; Winward Structures, structural and civil engineers; Buro North, wayfinding, signage and frit graphics ; Electrolight, lighting design; BG & E facade engineers, and Aecom, traffic.
BKK Architects are working on the master plan.
The project also includes:
- Lonsdale Street: transformation of the city’s main street into a green, pedestrian-friendly boulevard.
- Stockman’s Bridge: a new western entrance into central Dandenong, crossing the railway line and linking Cheltenham Road with the heart of town.
- City Street and Station North Plaza: creating a new, logical and well-lit link between Dandenong train station and the heart of town.
- Metro Village 3175: creating more homes within walking distance of the town area. See our post here
- Streetscape and road improvements: reducing traffic congestion in central Dandenong while widening and greening pedestrian areas.
- Pop up Park: establishing a temporary outdoor recreational facility near Dandenong Train Station.