188 BAY STREET, PORT MELBOURNE
SERVICES USED
27.07.12
188 Bay Street Port Melbourne is an office building owned by Bensons Property Group, who decided to renovate the premises in order to attract a new tenant.
Architects Fender Katsalidis were appointed to work on the office fit out & Studio Equator were commissioned to work on the entrance stairwell to create something spectacular, and give the entrance a “wow-factor”.
We worked in accordance with the Fender Katsalidis drawings & finishes schedule to create a similar ambience to the office, although as the office design was quite minimal, the client wanted something a bit more visually interesting for the entrance, that would create a strong impact from the street.
We had the idea to use reflection as our concept, and to create atmosphere using mirrors & lights. We decided to create an organic shape on one side of the stairwell that would run up the length of the stairwell to bring people up the stairs with a continual sense of the design. The shapes were designed, then produced in black mirror, and installed along one wall.
On the opposite side under the handrail we designed a red LED light box with a perforated panel on the front, so that light and patterns are a constant presence on one side, and are reflected dynamically in the mirrors opposite.
Additionally, we installed an additional panelled light box on the bulkhead above the staircase landing, that reflects onto mirror at the top of the flight of stairs. Our idea for this was that when the new tenants occupy the building, this panel could be replaced with one cut with the tenant’s name or logo. This will then be reflected, and visible from the entrance, and will therefore also serve as innovative and interesting way finding signage.
Lastly, we specified a pendant light designed by Armand Louis & Patrick Reymond Allegro to maximize reflection and complement the overall design.
In the end, we succeeded in creating a strong impact in a very small area with the minimal and cost-effective elements light & mirror.
