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design
mag
This retention inspired the stepped articulation
of the street facade which doubles as
entrances to the James Street shops.“Part of
the reason was because council were
interested in articulating the building form to
reduce the building’s perceived bulk,” Spence
explains. However the council was also looking
for articulation of the material and the
proposed sole use of off-white clay bricks,
Bowral Bricks Charolais Cream dry-pressed
clay bricks, met with some resistance from
planners who felt its aesthetic was too
“singular”.
“They resisted the use a single material over
the whole building but we were a bit stubborn
in that regard!” says Spence.“That’s part of the
reason for the brick screens which articulate
the surface. But the other reason is that they
allow views to the street from the first level
offices behind the screens.”
Spence is a keen proponent of masonry use in
south-east Queensland, a controversial view in
a state well known for its use of lightweight
construction. He contends that masonry
construction – whether brick or block – is
widely used in other countries on our latitude
with similar climates and that the widespread
use of timber cladding in that state is
historical:“When Brisbane was developing
timber was the cheapest material available.”
Richards and Spence also value the “familiar
modularity” of the brick, the scale of which
relates to the individual as much as to the
environment.
The off-white brickwork wraps around all sides
of 19 James Street and into the central arcade
which allows access to the upstairs tenancy
and public toilets.The arcade also facilitates
pedestrian access from this and neighbouring
buildings to the rear car park.The retail
tenancies continue along the north-west side
of the building.“We took advantage of this
side to construct a covered outdoor space
that some of the tenants are using as external
dining.That’s been well received.” Due to site
constraints, the rear facade carries only
service cupboards and loading bays.
The use of a single cladding
material, white brickwork, was
a bold step which met with
some initial resistance from
planners.The brickwork wraps
into the central arcade
leading to a car park.The
street frontage was brought
forward without compromising
the existing palms.
