Melbourne docklands Assignment PDF

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A CRITIC OF NAB BUILDING, MELBOURNE DOCKLANDS
By (Name)
Course
Professor’s name
University name
City, State
Date of submission

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A critic of NAB building,
Melbourne Docklands.

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Introduction
The Melbourne docklands is an area that was formerly used as a port and industrial
facility. Renovation in the docklands began in the 1980s due to the boom in real estate,
relocation of port activities downstream and the global wave of reconnecting cities and their
adjacent water bodies (Anon., 2015). The renaissance of the docklands began with the
construction of the new stadium in Melbourne.
Melbourne Docklands 1980s
This critic will focus on the National Australian Bank (NAB) Docklands that are
located in 700 Bourke Street, Melbourne Docklands (Cheng, n.d). NAB docklands is situated
between Etihad Stadium and Southern Cross Station. Its entire west façade is visible from the
city since the site is located adjacent to the sunken train lines. Completed in 2013, the
building covers a floor area of 63000 square metres (Cheng, n.d).

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Docklands current masterplan

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Docklands current masterplan

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NAB floor plan

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NAB front elevation
NAB building section
Designed by Woods Bagot, the building has used the triangle as the major theme of
the design owing to the triangular shape of the site. The atrium within the building is
triangular, the façade panels are triangular and the steel pergolas over the pedestrian
landscaped areas are triangular (Cheng, n.d). The elevation facing the street has three fissures
that allow light into the building and break the huge mass visually. The facades have coloured
window panels whose colour changes according to the amount of sunlight received.

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Colourful fissure on the front elevation
Pedestrian and vehicular access into the building is separate; the main entrance is
designed for pedestrians on the ground floor while vehicular access is at the basement below
(Anon., 2015). The entire ground floor is open to the public, fully equipped with retail
outlets, casual seating areas, and cafes, mixed use auditorium and amphitheatre and child care
facility
Team work space

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There are various workspaces provided for in the building including meeting rooms,
video conferencing rooms, quiet rooms, work booths, team huddle space and informal
meeting spaces.
Boardroom workspace
Triangular atrium

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Relationship with context
NAB is located in the Melbourne docklands that was previously an industrial and port
facility (Grafton & Hussey, 2011). The retained old facilities and buildings feature classical
architecture that is characterised by cubular forms and heavy concrete forms.
Melbourne Docklands Urban Renewal Buildings
The docklands urban renewal program has involved the development of modernist
buildings and stadiums and other recreational facilities. These new developments feature
extensive use of glass, steel, concrete and modernist with integrated building systems (Smith,
2006). Pedestrians have been given top priority in the urban renewal; all the buildings have
incorporated separate pedestrian access with ample pedestrian recreational areas, the streets
have pedestrian walking paths and open spaces and more recreational spaces such as
boulevards and water promenades have been included in the program.

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Modernist buildings in the neighbourhood
Pedestrian piazzas in 700 Bourke Street

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Architectural impact
The top level has a 700 square metre roof garden that doubles up as a work
environment, recreational area and a child care centre (Smith, 2006). This is an innovative
approach that has been lauded for allowing interaction between the users and their children
during leisure time thus being the good example for the business park approach to office
design (Smith, 2006). However, the inclusion of a child care centre at the roof top has been
faulted by some critics owing to the concern over the security of the children at such heights.
Rooftop Garden and recreational area
Modernist form with stunning and thought out aesthetics. The architect has made use
of a single theme throughout the structure. There are colourful fissures that break the glass
block façade unlike most modernist buildings (Grafton & Hussey, 2011). However, these
futuristic designs have been criticized for have an appeal that wears out faster as compared to
other modernist architectural languages.

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Colourful fissure on the front elevation allowing visual break and light into the building
Triangular theme maintained in the interiors

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Organisation was given more priority in the design other than other way round that is
followed in conventional designs. The spatial circulation paths wrap themselves around the
workspaces that are of simple rectangular-floor plans (Grafton & Hussey, 2011). The
circulation spaces provided within the building are ample, have direct access to sunlight
either through the atrium of the exterior glass façade. In addition, the circulation spaces have
designed seating spaces that function as informal work stations, leisure or social spaces
(Cheng, n.d). The interior spaces are organised such as they have adequate sunlight and
natural ventilation, and are easily accessible.
The building has a separation of vehicular and pedestrian access with more priority
given to pedestrian access. The pedestrians have their main entry at the ground floor with
adequate seating and recreational spaces.
Pedestrian access and amphitheatre

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Pedestrian seating area and recreational space
NAB building has employed various efficient sustainable energy techniques, which the
building has been awarded a 6-star Green Star rating. These strategies include
 use of energy efficient light fittings,
 installation of variable speed motors for pumps and fans to utilise minimum energy,
 use of water efficient fixtures,
 installation of a grey water recycling system that produces water for the cooling
waters,
 installation of a rainwater harvesting system that produces water for toilet flushing
 Use of recycled materials during construction such as recycled timber flooring,
recycled concrete that accounted for 30 percent of concrete used and recycled
framework. In addition, 90 percent of the waste collected on site was recycled or
reused.

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 The atrium allows sufficient natural light into the building and natural ventilation
throughout the entire building.
The building has won several awards and recognitions such as a 6-star Green Star for the
base building design, Victorian Architecture, Commercial Architecture Award and Interior
Architecture award from the Australian Institute of Architects.
Social and cultural impact
The ground floor is open to the entire public. Unlike majority of the upcoming
modernist buildings that have access controls that only allow the building’s users past the
main entrance, the building allows the public on the ground floor and only uses access control
in the other floors containing office spaces.
The workplaces are designed such as they enhance collaboration, openness and thus
cultivating a culture of community. The interior design challenges the norm of segregated
work spaces by allowing all the open workstations are connected to the Real Time Working

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approach (RTW). RTW uses information-age science that allows team members in the
various interior spaces to collaborate without necessarily leaving their workstations, thus no
barriers in communication (Anon., 2015). This has boosted a positive corporate culture with
open communication within National Australian Bank and other tenants and users of the
building.
Addition of a child care centre at the ground floor and the roof top fosters a family
first culture. This encourages staff that have infants to bring along their children to work, who
can play while their parents work and watch from the nearby workplaces. NAB has
introduced an outdoor education programme at the rooftop’s child care centre.

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References
Anon., 2015. Esplanade masterplan released. [Online] Available at:
http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/esplanade-masterplan-released_10528/
[Accessed 8 May 2018].
Cheng, L., n.d. ‘Forest of towers’ approved for Melbourne’s Docklands. [Online] Available
at: https://architectureau.com/articles/forest-of-towers-approved-for-melbournes-docklands/
[Accessed 8 May 2018].
Grafton, R.Q. & Hussey, K., 2011. Water Resources Planning and Managemnt. London:
Cambridge University Press.
Smith, J., 2006. Urban Renewal in the Docklands. The Bulletin, (6510-6517), pp.118-20.