Project: Critique of the NAB Building, Melbourne Docklands

This project provides a critical analysis of the National Australian Bank (NAB) building located in Melbourne Docklands, designed by Woods Bagot. The critique examines the building's architectural design, which features a triangular theme reflecting the site's shape, including the atrium, facade panels, and steel pergolas. It explores the building's relationship with its context, the urban renewal program, and the integration of modernist architectural elements. The project also highlights the social and cultural impact of the building, including its open ground floor accessible to the public, collaborative workspaces, and child care facilities. Furthermore, it discusses the sustainable energy techniques employed, such as energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and recycling programs, which have earned the building a 6-star Green Star rating. The critique also addresses the architectural impact, including the rooftop garden and innovative approaches to office design, and the building's awards and recognitions.

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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.