project description: Refurbishment & additions to existing offices,showrooms and distribution warehouse
- location: 6 Forge Street, Welshpool
- contract source: Design & Construct
design: Occupying a prominent corner site, the design
approach was to maximize the exposure of the building both in form and
function. The building was to also provide a prominent solution to signage exposure
as well.
The aesthetics
reflects the nature and rhythm of the structure with expressed framed areas
providing relief to the mass of the building. An insitu concrete column and
floor slab to the west provided a cantilevered first floor office addition of
280sqm., this afforded the opportunity to create an undercroft parking area to
still comply with the council’s parking requirements.
All of the office
areas were relocated to the first floor to create a showroom on ground floor. A
selection of painted CFS cladding panels with expressed joints and horizontal
colorbond custom orb sheeting provide a variance of texture to the façade and
allowed opportunity to create features to pronounce the corner and facilitate
signage opportunities. A feature window surround provides further animation to
the facades. With the office having a predominantly west facing façade, high
energy efficient glazing was selected to provide high degree of thermal comfort
and also to meet BCA requirements.
The warehouse was
extended to the rear by means of tilt panel construction providing additional
storage area of 680sqm. Tilt up construction was used to maximise the usable
floor area. Externally the ground floor parking level was raised to be level
with the existing roller door on the south and a new canopy for weather
protection was installed to now become the dispatch area. A new goods-in roller
door was provided in the new addition area. The existing roof sheeting was
removed and replaced with new and the Anticon was replaced with new which is
more efficient.
conclusion: The site has been maximized as per the Client brief and has also complied
with all Councils Planning guidelines.
Although this is now quite a large building, Gavin Construction was
successful in providing relief to the mass and scale. Visually, the building
commands a strong presence to both street frontages. This project represents
the strengths of Gavin Construction throughout the Design and Construction
stages of a building project.