Wolveridge Architects Pty Ltd

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment

UNITED TANNERY & BOOT FACTORY REFURBISHMENT

Wolveridge Architects

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects

YEAR
2006

LOCATION
Victoria, Australia

CATEGORY
Industrial Architecture, Renovation

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects

The project is a refurbishment of a circa 1900 Victorian era boot making factory and home to a firm of young architects. As a refurbishment, the design response was concerned with how the fabric of the original structure could inform the solution.

As an open plan warehouse, we explored whether a connection could exist between the way the building was used originally and the way it needs to meet our requirements.

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects

The clear span nature of the structure at first floor provided an uninterrupted 11x12m floor plate. In early times this was an open layout area for work benches. The requirements of contemporary planning for commercial office space are similar.

As architects, we work in an open studio.The nature of our activities must be tuned to function, adaptation to change and flexibility. We must be able to shrink or expand easily and quickly. This provided an integrated response in connection to contemporary thinking and regulated how each floor may be resolved.

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects

Over both floors, the open plan spaces were dissected by the insertion of timber clad volumes. These volumes, freestanding cubic forms within the space were clad in recycled hardwood flooring.

We arranged the boxes to act like walls, separating the functional spaces of the office, whilst becoming more than a wall, a container for services (wc/kitchen/storage/ conference) within themselves.

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment

The manner in which these forms touch the existing building is significant to this idea and is suggestive of contemporary design practice as opposed to a traditional method of carving the entire space into a series of smaller rooms.

The use of the space is broad, not just an office, but a showroom and display area for our own furniture and an example of how materials can be juxtaposed.

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects

The office was a place to test ideas. Places where clients can touch, feel, experience and evaluate. This could also be a place for artists to show work, a gallery, a cultural venue.

We consider that the ideas of multi-function, flexibility, adaptation and open space planning to be fundamental to contemporary design practice.

United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects


United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
© Wolveridge Architects


United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
Ground Floor Before & After Plans
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
First Floor Before & After Plan


United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
East Elevation
United Tannery And Boot Factory Refurbishment
North Elevation

Wolveridge Architects Pty Ltd
T +61 3 94869882
Wolveridge Architects Pty Ltd
Unit 1/9 Byron St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia