449 Punt

Hickory maximises daylight penetration while minimising solar access designed to achieve 4-star energy efficiency

  • Location:

    449 Punt Road, Richmond

  • Construction duration:

    18 months

  • Completion date:

    June 2009

  • Client:

    Maclaw 452 Pty Ltd

  • Architect:

    A Genser and Associates

  • Structural and civil engineer:

    The O’Neill Group

  • Building services engineer:

    NJM Design

  • Environmental ratings:

    4 star NABERS rated design

An A-Grade five level office building with a three level underground car park, Punt Rd has been designed to achieve a 4-star NABERS energy efficiency rating.

Extensive shading minimises solar access while maximising daylight penetration into the building.

With the site being located so close to the Yarra River and City Link Tunnel, it made the basement construction extremely challenging. However, this was overcome by working closely with experienced, competent engineers and subcontractors.

Features

A complicated curtain wall system with performance glazing, cuvred façade and raking façade elements posed challenges in installation

Close proximity to the city link resulted in careful planning and coordination of all site works

A 40m long diaphragm wall, constructed panel-by-panel, was used due to the high water table and proximity to the Yarra

The ground slab was anchored into bedrock close to the tunnel, requiring detailed engineering and coordination prior to work on site