Clare Cousins Architects

Blackwood Street Bunker

Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann

BLACKWOOD STREET BUNKER

Clare Cousins

ARCHITECTS
Clare Cousins

BUILDER
Maben Group

PHOTOGRAPHS
Lisbeth Grosmann

AREA
75.0 sqm

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
22/28 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia

CATEGORY
Office

Text description provided by architect.

Through the combined effort of its new occupants; a construction company and an architecture studio; this 1970’s office block has been given a new life.

Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann

Located in North Melbourne, and hidden under a layer of custard-coloured render for several decades, the Brutalist materiality was revealed after 8 weeks of painstaking labour chipping off the suffocating crust.

Retaining the shell and reusing parts of the original fit-out, the challenge was to create a non-corporate environment that would evoke a sense of authenticity and capability. Critical to both organisations is the effect that the work environment has on those who use it.

Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann

It responds firstly to the needs of the staff, engendering a healthy office culture. Secondly, the space presents a considered representation of the two businesses that befits a variety of clients and visitors.

While rarely collaborating professionally, these businesses had previously shared a building and were keen to retain and enhance a sense of community.

Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann

Unlike many shared studios which co-habit an entry and front-of-house amenities, this 440m2 floor-plan works in reverse.

Separate entries and offices lead through to a generous shared zone including kitchen, breakout-space and deck.

Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann

The deck is the heart of the shared concept with both offices and the kitchen/breakout space opening onto it through large banks of operable glazing.

These shared facilities benefit both organisations professionally, socially, and spatially.

This project transformed two highly-disconnected spaces, divided into small windowless consulting rooms, into a light-filled, open-plan office.

Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann

Inverse trims - black for builders, white for architects - are reflected in the refreshed ceiling grid, fittings and furniture and offer a subtle point of difference.

Glazed partitions in the builder’s office provide acoustic privacy, while maintaining visual connections through the space.

Joinery defines circulation paths creating discrete separation between staff and visitors.

Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann


Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann
Blackwood Street Bunker
© Lisbeth Grosmann


Blackwood Street Bunker
Floor Plan
Blackwood Street Bunker
Floor Plan
Blackwood Street Bunker
Diagram

Clare Cousins Architects
T +61 3 93292888
Clare Cousins Architects
28 Blackwood St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia