Rutland Road Mixed-Use Tower

Responsive of the prospective outlook of Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs The Rutland Road Mixed-Use Tower sets a precedent that responds respectfully to the growing cultural activities within the site. The tower provides opportunities for both retail and commercial activities with a height of 18 storeys above ground and 4 basement levels. The project has been granted a planning permit with strong prospects to become realised to serve as a cultural and commercial hub to the suburbia. The distinct character of the Mixed-Use Tower is achieved with skillful articulation of the arch geometry that reflects and celebrates the surrounding heritage buildings. Co-inhibiting with the old, this new precedent will activate and engage public activities. Retail activities at ground level and first floor are easily accessible from the street providing an active frontage to the street. Meanwhile, visual break between street front podium and office tower provides visual legibility. The terrace level between the podium and tower provides greeneries that add inviting touch to the street wall. The tower will provide adequate facilities for the office staff and public members with building services and 79 bicycle parks at basement level. An additional 39 bicycle spaces are accessed from the laneway, providing street level access for cyclists. Office spaces above level 2 is provided with balcony with pleasant landscaping and breakout spaces for the wellbeing of office occupants. Furthermore, the eastern balconies on allow cross ventilation and softening of sunlight glare and extreme wind conditions, increasing the comfort of the internal office environment. Masterful selection of finishes and materials reflect contemporary architectural forms. The 4-storey podium level defines the street wall with strong masonry brick cladding, whilst undulating forms of the glazing weave in between, echoing the rounded arches on the upper levels. These tall narrow arches reflect the human activities on the commercial block, whilst the brickwork on podium is responsive of the human scale activities at the street level.