The Strand Facade

ISPT (Industry Superannuation Property Trust) commissioned this project to create a facade that wrapped around the existing Strand Arcade, located in the bustling heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Our response to this brief explores the themes of rhythm, sequence, colour and light, and how these elements come together holistically. Individual vertical glass fins form a sequential facade that extends across Lonsdale Street, Elizabeth Street, Little Bourke Street and Driver Lane. Along with sequence and rhythm, the duality between object and void was tantamount, as the facade can be viewed not just as a sequence of actual fins but a sequence of ‘empty’ spaces between the fins. The visible light spectrum split into its individual component hues is represented by the vertical glass fins, individually coloured reflecting the gradual change from red to violet. This was an important consideration, as the colour of each fin effectively fills the empty space between each object as light passes through it. A white backing wall behind the fins acts as a canvas; filled by ‘coloured shadows’ during the day, and illuminated at night by a series of LED lights. An awning made up of glass and white satin aluminum stretches the length of each facade excluding Driver Lane, and provides both cover and a visual and spatial connection of the pedestrian to the visible spectrum facade above.