Workcover Lobby
Workcover Lobby Foyer
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 fitout guidelines. New work
to be carried out would be:
- Floor finishes
- Glass shop front
- Secure reception desk,
- Ceilings & bulkheads
- Lighting,
- Partitions
- Signage
Location:
Workcover Queensland
Ground Floor, 280 Adelaide St, Brisbane, Queensland
Ambition:
Once the client had approved the floor plan he requested some computer
generated perspectives. He had been impressed by a previous
project we created in the 3d Viz and was excited to see the foyer
project done the same way. These were to portray the visual
implications of such security system as it was going to be a very
costly exercise.
We also wanted use this opportunity to sell our design ideas on the new look 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.
Senior Interior Designer: Belinda Magri MDIA
Interior Designer & Digital Imagery: Debbie Venz
