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THE NEW CROWN METROPOL OPENS

The challenge of designing interior and architecture for Crown Metropol, Australia’s largest and newest hotel was welcomed by Bates Smart.

While similar in its DNA to sister properties Crown Towers and Crown Promenade, Crown Metropol’s brief was to impart a more youthful and dynamic form.

Director, Jeff Copolov says, “We wanted the hotel's design to challenge tradition and add a sense of fun with unorthodox elements, dark, dramatic shapes and earthy, grounded silhouettes inspired by nature”.

- Visit Bates Smart for more on Crown Metropol

- Visit Crown Metropol website

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SYDNEY WATER POTTS HILL

The new Sydney Water Infrastructure Group workplace embraces the social change in contemporary workspaces more often associated with CBD office buildings.

It takes operations and technical workers out of traditionally lower quality accommodation into a workplace designed to the same standard as traditional office buildings, but conceived in response to the professional needs of Sydney Water field workers.

Located in the suburban setting of Potts Hill near the main office of Sydney Water, the facility includes 6,000 m2 of workspace and 5,400 m2 of warehouse space. The facility offers a wide range of workspace arrangements (hot desks, workstations, enclosed offices) on a large open floor plate designed to maximise flexibility and encourage interaction.

The expression of materials on the exterior and the interior of the building clearly references the semi-industrial purpose of the facility through the use of polished concrete floors, perforated plywood panels, an expressed steel frame and timber cladding.

Focusing on passive environmental strategies, the building is designed to achieve 5 star ABGR and 5 star Green Star ratings.

- Visit Bates Smart for more on Sydney Water

- Sydney Water, Potts Hill is entered in the 2010 Australian Timber Design Awards. Click here to visit.

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NANOSCIENCE NOW

EIF funding awarded to new Nanoscience Faculty

The University of Sydney has won critical EIF funding for the new $108M Nanoscience Facility. The Sydney studio won the briefing and master planning role for a new science precinct at the University of Sydney encompassing the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Physics/ Nanosciences.

The new precinct has been designed around a north facing courtyard that links the existing Physics Faculty to the proposed new Physics/ Nanoscience project. The courtyard will be activated with cafes and other collaborative spaces. The fundamental principle is to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and cross fertilisation of ideas.

“We thoroughly enjoyed working closely with the University of Sydney on this project and were delighted to hear that our efforts had assisted the university in securing EIF funding for the Nanoscience Facility.”
Philip Vivian, Bates Smart Director

- Visit University of Sydney website

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FACULTY OF ARTS GRADUATE SCHOOL MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

The newly refurbished Graduate School in the Old Arts Building enables better cross-faculty and inter-faculty collaboration.

It provides a contemporary and collaborative learning environment that consolidates the School into a single location.

The dynamic learning and teaching environments are supported by improved administrative support spaces for student services. The new facilities are adaptable to changing requirements and set a benchmark for new graduate learning facilities.

The redesign provides a clear identity for the Graduate School with visual coherence and a strong visual language upon entry to the building, together with improved way-finding and circulation.

Other facilities include the refurbishment to the Old Arts Hall, providing a social and informal space for students that can be transformed into a stylish space for Faculty launches and events.

- Visit Bates Smart for more on the Faculty of Arts Graduate School

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CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES ON CONVESSO APARTMENTS

A sinuous fluid line links the two towers with one gesture

The design of Convesso was inspired by its extraordinary and unique location, surrounded by water on both sides, in the heart of Docklands, on the edge of the CBD.

The buildings are inspired by Bates Smart’s investigations of the patterns formed by water and waves, and the reflections from undulating waters of Victoria Harbour. A sinuous fluid line links the two towers with one gesture, while the form of podium recalls the movement of water against the wharf.

The two towers are shaped and located to maximise the spectacular views from all apartments, on all sides of the building.

- Visit Bates Smart for more on Convesso

- Visit Convesso website

- See the Convesso location at Docklands

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420 GEORGE STREET SYDNEY

“Morphosis in the City: A High Stakes Game of Survival Aesthetics”

“Morpho” by Alexander Knox is currently being installed in the foyer of 420 George Street.

Reflected sunlight and artificial lighting would activate the work producing a complex play of shadow and lustre that appears almost kinetic to the moving viewer.

Alexander Knox is a Melbourne based artist working with a wide range of techniques to produce an architecture of effects. Through a combination of lighting, optics, audio, kinetic and formal elements he engages with ideas of representation of myth and spirituality within the late capitalist spectacle. Knox studied public art at RMIT and has a background in film and industrial design.

- Visit Bates Smart for more on 420 George Street

- Visit Alexander Knox's website

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DADA GROWS

The Directors of Bates Smart are delighted to announce the following promotions in our Melbourne and Sydney offices.

Associate Directors
Brenton Smith
Julian Anderson
Eugene Cheah
Marko Damic
Kathryn Lombard
Kellie Payne

2 - Associates

Associates
Matthew Allen
Aaron Coats
Edwina McDermott
Martin Schmidt
Bobby Wei

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CROSS SECTOR POLLINATION

How does hospitality design influence the modern office these days. In which corporate sectors does this mainly play out?

The fusing of hospitality elements and working methods into corporate fit-out is certainly not a new phenomenon. Whilst the media sector has endorsed this cross pollination for many years other sectors such as legal and finance are now joining in the softer, more tactile expression of space.

Hospitality lighting, furniture, materials and service skills are all finding their way into the corporate office. Legal firms in particular have often entertained clients outside of the office. More recently that trend has reversed so now we see fully operational in house dining rooms with commercial kitchens. Upon arrival, clients are greeted with a concierge-like experience. This has created legal experiences that are as rewarding to visit as a well appointed 5 star hotel.

When does an office space become a stage? And are we willing players, when does this become forced frivolity?

Of course the line between fusing sectors for function, impact and general visual metaphors is certainly fine. More often than not spaces that are “dressed” to promote fun in the office can quickly become dated and a little contrived.

There should always be an honest reflection of a company’s core ethos and brand values reflected in any fit out. The contrived wow factor added for impact sake can often render spaces within the fit out redundant after a few months when the novelty of sliding down a slippery-dip between floors has worn off.

Brenton Smith, senior Interior Designer, recently joined Bates Smart as an Associate Director. He returns to Australia after 12 years in London with TP Bennett.

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BOUTIQUE MEETS BIG PROJECT METROPOL

3 - Unnamed

“Sexy, black and tres chic - Bates Smart has made the biggest hotel in the Southern Hemisphere look boutique” Penny Craswell.

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BATES SMART AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE IN THE MEDIA 2010 WINNER

Sally Ingleton has produced and directed a remarkable documentary “John Gollings: Eye for architecture”.

Bates Smart is proud to sponsor the Bates Smart Award for Architecture in the Media. Now in its 25th year.

Winner of the 2010 National Award for Architecture in the Media is Sally Ingleton of 360 degree Films. Sally has produced and directed a remarkable documentary “John Gollings: Eye for architecture”. This feature length film reflects a personal journey following the career of leading architectural photographer John Gollings. Gollings is based in Melbourne but has achieved international recognition as one of the world’s great architectural photographers.

The film documents his distinguished career and provides an insight into the volatile lives of people who make architecture.

For Architects, the film gives insight into a profession which is trying to make exciting and enduring buildings under difficult circumstances. For students of architecture in Melbourne, Ingleton enables us to better understand the culture of Melbourne architects.

For those who know John Gollings, he comes through as a confident yet unpretentious, well-grounded master of his profession.

- Find out more about the Bates Smart AIA Award for Architecture in the Media

- Find out more about Sally Ingleton and 360° films

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