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Project: Workcover Lobby

Project Description:

Brief:

The whole of the ground floor was to have an extensive refurbishment.  The clients were conscious of possible security alerts in the future and wanted to be prepared.  This would be the first Government office to install a ‘state of the art’ security system. The aesthetics of the design was left open so the designers put together a new look for Workcover. Avoiding a ‘showy’ image, the design was to be contemporary, conservative. The areas included:
  • Lift lobby
  • Reception
  • Main entrance / glass frontage
  • Waiting area
  • Office areas & work areas behind.
To a large percentage, the design also had to be environmentally conscious as apart of Workcover’s new fit-out guidelines.  New work to be carried out would be:
  • Floor finishes
  • Glass shop front
  • Secure reception desk,
  • Ceilings & bulkheads
  • Lighting,
  • Partitions
  • Signage
Ambition:
Once the client had approved the floor plan some computer generated perspectives were requested.  Impressed by a previous project we created in 3d Viz, was excited to see the foyer project done the same way. These were to portray the visual implications of the security system, as it was a very costly system. 

We also wanted use this opportunity to sell our ideas for the new design we wanted to achieve. These would include:
  • An impressive and inviting foyer, highlighting the use of the finishes in mind.
  • A more open space with a more 3 dimensional feel by incorporating different levels of bulkheads, ceilings and concealed lighting to bring out these structural features.
  • The security system was to look as discrete as possible so that staff members and visitors felt relaxed in   there environment.
Solution:

The design team put together a collection of 3d images developed in an advanced software program.  As a result a design freeze was instantly placed on the design with the client’s complete satisfaction.

‘Creating the design in 3d made it possible to watch design elements come to life and to analyse there positive and negative impacts. Usually these finer details are not apparent during the sketch design stage and it is in the working drawing stage and sometimes construction stage that these small but important amendments are made. 

It takes the ‘what if’, and ‘I wonder if that would have looked better’ out of the equation. Clarification between client & designer takes the form of visual communication rather than verbal, which is too open to interpretation. The designer and Client can confidently settle on the design by seeing what is almost true to life in front of them.”
           
Outcome:

Both client and design team are excited about this project coming to fruition.  It is due to commence construction in late 2004. It will be interesting to see how the design prevails and how closely it will be in keeping with the digital images presented.