Daisho, the owners of Mincom Central have updated a proposed submission to build a 34 level commercial tower on 174 Ann Street. The tower has been designed by Crone Partners, the architects of 275 George Street and Sydney’s Citigroup Centre. The proposal is Daisho’s second submission following the original 174 Ann Street design.
The updated design includes facade alterations showing a huge imprint of the Brisbane River. The artistic imprint would be the first of its kind in Brisbane.
The tower is planned to have a total of 66,171m2 of commercial space which is comparable to the floor space of 111 Eagle Street.
Artist's impression of street level integration
The landscape design, surrounding the proposed building at 174 Ann St, Brisbane would function as both a cross block link and a new public plaza and breakout space for the existing Mincom Central and new buildings.
A large green wall is proposed adjacent to the proposed staircase (which would facilitate pedestrians moving through the site between Ann St and Turbot St). This installation would provide an impressive lush backdrop to the Podium 2 Retail, draw people into the cross block link, and create an iconic image and experience to the space.
Several of the existing columns are also proposed to be retrofitted with a trellis system and growing vines, to further green the space, and tie in with the new greenwall façade. A large ‘river’ motif would ‘flow’ throughout the plaza on the ground plane; created with the use of varying granite colours and finishes. This pattern will both mimic the building’s façade and create a subtle way finding device throughout the plaza.
A scattering of bespoke organic shaped seating elements will be installed in key locations within the plaza and staircase landings. Bike racks are also to be provided. These are to be both sculptural and functional pieces of external furniture.
Other landscape areas, include the area adjacent to the property boundary of the neighbouring School of Art building, and the vehicular entry/ exit. Plants species selection aims to create a lush, dark green aesthetic, while being of low maintenance and low water demanding as possible.
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- Artist’s impression of street level integration
18 comments
#1oiksterDecember 20, 2011, 7:35 am
This is really lovely, looking forward to the building being completed. Nice work Daisho. Nice to see you take your time to get it right. And the river on the side, nice touch.
#2VivDecember 20, 2011, 11:06 am
Sketch up?
Great design, and I thought the original was bold, this is amazing.
#3Ian MillerDecember 20, 2011, 12:52 pm
I love the green wall and the river motif. Great to see features that break up the monotony of Brisbane CBD.
#4Michael BanakDecember 21, 2011, 8:36 am
Great to recieve such postive feedback on the design!
Yes the main model was created in sketch-up but the professional renders were created using 3D Studio Max. For the detail design phases we will be using state of the art BIM REVIT modelling coordinating this information with our expert services and structural consultants FLOTH Sustainable Building Consultants and Hyder Consulting
What the article has not mentioned is the clients commitment to Green Buildings targeting a 5 Star Green Star building with 5 Star NABERS.
#5TysonDecember 21, 2011, 8:52 am
What a load of old $hite. Tacked on decoration is becoming rife on Brisbane’s towers as bad designers attempt to paper on something eye catching to obscure the fact that the building is fundamentally crap.
The poor old (state heritage listed) school of arts buildings next door is swamped from the north. Bye bye all natural daylighting. Bye bye ever being able to sit comfortably on the verandahs any more. This blog cries foul about the destruction of the Poles Printery (and I agree) but where is the objection to the impact on this (much more important and intact) building?
This is the best Brisbane blog of its kind. I know you have a hardon for height but what about being critical of the design?
#6EricDecember 21, 2011, 9:09 am
Tyson the design of the tower is such that it maintains a street level sightline of the school of arts building. You can see that it achieves this through a kind of cantilever design at ground level.
RE the facade, artwork of this scale has not been seen in Brisbane before. Time will tell if the artwork design is done well.
#7TysonDecember 21, 2011, 9:35 am
Hi Eric, I understand the chunk out of the base is for sightline retention to and from the School of Arts but that is probably the least important aspect. It’s also an easy cop out for the designers in a weak attempt to be sympathetic. A previous design for this site has been rejected before on the grounds it would compromise the significance of the School of Arts. The existing Mincom building was only approved on the grounds it provided a landscaped buffer between it and the School of Arts. This new building deletes the buffer.
The School of Arts achieves passive daylighting and ventilation which will be severely compromised if this new building goes ahead.
The ‘artwork’ is superficial and pretty boring. It’s just a pattern. It is similar to oneoneone Eagle Street’s terrible wiggly ‘fig tree roots’ and not as good as the NAB extension’s cornice motif. It isn’t far removed from a big mural and I question the relevance of a map of the river applied to this building.
#8TysonDecember 21, 2011, 9:54 am
I would like to add, though, that I really do think this is the best Brisbane blog of its kind. It’s my first stop every day and I wouldn’t even know about half the things going on in my town if it weren’t for this site.
Congratulations and keep it up.
#9oiksterDecember 21, 2011, 10:31 am
Michael Banak, i already knew it was a five starer. I think it was mentioned last blog on the building. We do take notice. I was impressed last time, and this design has taken the building to a new level. Nice work.
Hey Tyson, to be honest, i think the building sits quite nicely beside the other buildings, they have a synergy with the differing heights, and as for sitting next to a heritage listed building? I did not think that a crime, and imagine the lovely church that is dwafted by the skyscrapers, one of Brisbanes most interesting sites. People comment how lovely the old sits with the new. I think Brisbane is the most interesting city because of old and new sitting side by side at differing heights. I am like a kid in a candy store every time i visit, their is always a new treat.
#10VivDecember 21, 2011, 1:03 pm
It is a impressive design achievement when you consider that the core can’t affect the central station tunnels and the building can’t devour the arts building. These are two difficult structural requirements to adhere to and I think that the design succeeds wonderfully despite them.
For example Tyson, if you consider this design against the white building sitting on the opposite side of the arts building I think that you will recognise that is is a great design outcome for this use intensity.
Lastly, I also think that the river’s outline on the facade is an effective way to remind city dwellers that there is a gigantic river a couple of hundred metres away, a river curt by roads, fences and generally terrible access and views.
#11danJanuary 3, 2012, 12:03 pm
I may have finally found a new favourite Brisbane building. Hope it goes ahead as planned.
Actually, maybe throw in a rooftop bar. Cheers.
#12krisJanuary 11, 2012, 1:27 pm
the podium is created to attract tenants, not retain view corridors.
the appeal of large open spaces proved very successful overseas, was replicated in sydney, then melb and now here.
#13Michael BanakJanuary 30, 2012, 7:33 am
Some great news for 174 Ann Street is upgrading the Green Star rating to a target 6 Star Green Star Commercial Office Building. A 6 Star Green Star Building represents “World Leadership” by the GBCA in green building design and shows a commitment by the client Daisho and Cronepartners Architects in creating a highly sustainable building for Brisbane city.
Cronepartners designed the Telstra Tower at 275 George Street in Brisbane which achieved a 5 Star Green Star rating for “Design” and “As built”.
Let’s hope we can achieve our target.
#14AnthonyFebruary 3, 2012, 7:04 pm
Too much concrete. needs more glass.
#15Michael BanakFebruary 7, 2012, 12:42 pm
Hi Anthony,
The building has a glass curtain wall to the majority of the facades with glazing from 300mm above floor level to approximately 2850mm above floor level. The fire stair also has a glass facade. That is a lot of glass. The only section that has a solid appearance is the core which we are also proposing providing a glass facade to the upper levels to allow light to filter into the floor plates through the lift shafts. Adjacent to this part of the building is an existing high rise building so we are not missing out on views. The building performs well on daylighting and views when assessed using the Green Star Rating tool developed by the Green Building council of Australia.
Regards,
Michael
#16marsApril 19, 2012, 4:23 pm
the new building looks fantastic & makes much better use of the currently dull courtyard area, but what of staging issues for existing tennants of mincom?
#17AnthonyMay 4, 2012, 7:08 pm
Thanks for that info Michael, True it does have glass now you have explained it. The River mofit is Gross though. If you look at it at a certain angle it looks like someone with a big nose and mouth open and tounge poking out. I support it without the Mofit. Im with Tyson on this one
#18Michael BanakMay 11, 2012, 1:57 pm
Haha well at least we have your support now Anthony even if you are not so big on the river graphic.
The river graphic has a number of design functions;
1) To provide a unique graphic that could be legible from a distance. Helping to distinguish the buidling at a glance from other buildings on the Brisbane skyline.
2) To give something “Brisbane” to the design. The river is what makes Brisbane. Its a good example of how powerful nature really is and the building is promoting “world excellence” in environmental design through a target 6 star Green star rating
3) At the centre of the “big nose” is actually where the site of the building is.
Appreciate your point of view.
Cheers,
Michael
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