W I N T E R G A R D E N

Wintergarden Facade by Studio 505

 July 16th, 2012 |  Author: admin

Project: Wintergarden Facade
Designed by Studio 505
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Website: www.studio505.com.auBrand new facade design coming with a fresh look of old Wintergarden Shopping Centre in Brisbane created by Studio 505. More images and architectural description after the jump:

From the Architects:

The brief for the new facades to the three street frontages of the Wintergarden Shopping Centre in central Brisbane required the creative application of a coherent identity and architecturally holistic sensibility in order to realise a multitude of intentions – to create an entertaining and engaging retail experience, a lifestyle destination and a 'must-go-to' meeting place and thoroughfare – at the heart of Brisbane's city centre.

Our response to this brief was to build upon the deep cultural collateral and public good will that resides in the site and the name 'Wintergarden' and create a radically experiential composition, a complex and beautiful study of nature, geometry and layering that communicates the rich diversity of life.

It is not an 'illustration' of nature nor is it merely an abstract pattern. The depth of engagement with these façades lies within this irresolvable ambiguity.

The main visual ‘structure' of the façade is created by the trees that run (beyond) each side of the façade. As with looking into a forest the first glimpse is of a dense complexity that is almost ‘barrier-like'. Then on closer inspection gaps appear and substantial depth is read. Details emerge and the rhythmic activity of life and light energises the scene and captivates the imagination.

As the position and strength of the sun changes from day to day and season to season so the folds, cuts and textures of the façade generate new patterns of highlights and shadows, and as night falls the lighting within the façade creates yet another reading. A low resolution integrated lighting system has been created that can change from a snowstorm through to the bursting of spring, into summer and finally into autumn, all within a single night.

Rain, sunsets, storms and fireworks are other examples of this systems expressive capabilities. In short, the façade is similar and different but never the same. As well as being functional the façade is also engaging and entertaining.