"Construction commenced in April 2011 and is programmed for completion in March 2013.


"Demolition of the existing buildings was completed in May 2011 whilst piling and excavation of the three basement levels to a depth of up to 12 metres concluded in March this year.


"Construction of the three basements floors has progressed well with the ground level likely to be completed within the month. The distinctive coloured precast concrete panels of the hotel facades have been created offsite and will soon be installed.  

"Locals and visitors look on with great interest, witnessing the progress of an excellent addition to the much loved area."

Visit Boheme

TOGA Group

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Bates Smart Director Philip Vivian comments on one of the initiatives that resulted in the environmental rating, the side core design. He says, "The side core design has distinct environmental benefits: locating the core to the north greatly reduces the heat load for the office areas. This has allowed a hybrid low energy perimeter chilled beam and low-temperature VAV (variable air volume) system to maintain a comfortable working environment within the office setting.

"The side core design also allows a contiguous floor plate where everyone is connected, promoting greater collaboration and in this case clear views to the south add to the overall amenity of the office areas."

Other environmental initiatives include:

> An eight level atrium that maximises natural daylight penetration throughout the building
> High perfomance insulating glazing
> Sun shading to East and West facades
> High efficiency plant and equipment
> Water-efficient fixtures
> A hybrid mechanical system with combined active chilled beam and low airflow-low temperature air conditioning system

420 George Street was awarded the 2011 AIA (NSW) Sir Arthur G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture and is a finalist in the Property Council of Australia National Awards to be announced later this month.

Visit Bates Smart to learn more about 420 George Street.

420 George Street website

Architecture Australia Reviews 420 George Street

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Bates Smart completed the building and integrate fitout for Fairfax Media in 2009, it has since gained a five-star Green Star Design as-built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

Media house is home to the expanding group of Fairfax Media holdings in print, broadcast and on-line formats including The Age and The Australian Financial Review.

Learn more about Fairfax Media House Architecture, Interiors

Indesign Magazine review

Property Council of Australia National Awards

Property Council of Australia Victorian Chapter

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IPA Chairman, Mark Birrell explains the judge's decision.

"The New Royal Children’s Hospital was judged the best new project in Australia because of its design excellence, engineering quality and its scale.

"The $1 billion New Royal Children’s Hospital was one of the largest projects completed last year and is an excellent example of a successful Public Private Partnership.

"The project was delivered on time and on budget, and includes a wide range of design innovations that make this project the benchmark for paediatric care."

Read review of RCH in Artichoke Magazine

Visit Bates Smart to learn more about RCH

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Janne's work has influenced generations of Australians through her design consultancy; she is credited with encapsulating a uniquely Australian aesthetic. 

Jeff Copolov says "She saw something in this country, in this land and the light, and the skills and the craft, and somehow wove it, to me for the first time, where it was Australian and it wasn't imported. I don't know how she did it."

Janne received an Order of Australia in 1982 "in recognition of service to the arts, particularly as a designer".

View the conversation here:

Australian Design Review video series

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