Small interventions make a big difference to existing buildings.
The changing nature of work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic now requires new approaches to assessing existing building stock. The rise of Co-working spaces and Work from Home (WFH) arrangements can offer an attractive alternative to workers and business owners.
Currently, high office vacancy rates coincide with high interest rates, building costs and growing sustainability consciousness. If the ‘greenest building’ and perhaps also the cheapest building is ‘...the one that is already built’ (Elefante, Carl (FAIA), 2007), how can we leverage new ideas for existing buildings like placemaking to create a sense of identity, vision and possibility?
A curated set of light-touch to substantial interior modifications to an existing building can unlock new potential for our current times. A reconsideration of the opportunities and constraints of an existing buildings is a way to offer potential benefits for the building owners and prospective tenants.
The Conways Buildings
For an untouched building in Prahran we were asked to assess what could be done to bring new life to this long time unloved older building. Our aim was to help the landowner attract new and quality tenants to the building.
As a first step we began our assessment by reconsidering the street front, the public face of the building. The street is the heart of the city and where we first interact with architecture. In years past, the street front or shop front of a building was where people lingered and browsed what was on offer. In modern times the street front has been overtaken with expanses of plate glass and oversized signage that scream at us in an attempt to quickly grab our attention as you pass by. Instead of attracting attention this approach has added a lot of noise in the street which is now largely ignored.
Exiting conditions before minor works
A closed and uninviting space with low levels of engagement
Through some careful and minor works we identified the areas of change that would create the most impact. These strategies for change included:
Remove. Remove random signage and open up the space of the street
Identify. Targeted signage that is in sight and is consistent.
Illuminate. The addition of carefully placed lighting to highlight the street and the features of the building.
Slow down. Create space for outdoor dining to allow people to gather at all times of day and night.
Curate. Create tenants that are complementary and attract people to the location at all times of day and night.
After minor works
An open and inviting space for the public and tenants
There are many ways to breathe new life into existing buildings and spaces. These approaches can be focused on modifications that are minor or major. Modifications can be internal, eternal or a combination of both. However what is important is that each project is assessed based on the specific needs and budget to ensure a successful and sustainable outcome that delivers the value to the building owners and also the wider community. Placemaking offers a number of strategies that can transform a building into something that can be a local destination.
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