Located in the ‘commercial central city mixed use zone’ The Welder has been formed from a cluster of 6 existing industrial buildings that date back as far as the late 1800’s.  The design brief was to repurpose the individual buildings to form a series of mixed-use tenancies and public spaces, transforming them into a community hub for health & wellbeing. The development was to embrace the existing elements focussing on fostering a sense of connection & community with the surrounding area. 

Welles Street has historically been home to industrial trades and warehousing situated within the city’s central framework. More recently residential, hospitality and educational development has occurred in the vicinity which has increased the importance of social connection and community.

This group of buildings present as a cluster of smaller scale industrial structures providing a mixed-use destination with a selection of boutique operators who further enhance the recent social vibrancy of the area.

Key to the project are two arterial pathways which link spaces harmoniously and lead to a central atrium space in the heart of the development. Inserted into the two primary facades, frameless glass doors sit behind generously sized openings which flow into the pathways, this generates the feeling of urban laneways and distorts the lines between exterior and interior environment. In the atrium, filtered light from new openings in the roof floods the space, inviting new visitors to be led further into the space. 

While each tenancy has it’s own distinct feel, the lines are blurred between tenancy boundaries and public circulation space.  The open layout has sought to create a language that unifies them with signage, planting, and ingenuity contributing to the laneway concept.  As each tenancy has been fitted out, their various designers have embraced the concept of the development and worked with the original design rationale.

Where possible the existing building fabric has been maintained and often exposed further, existing brick has been washed down and existing timber sarking repurposed. Due to the nature of the existing building, off the shelf doors and windows weren’t an option – every element of the timber window and door joinery has been custom made from recycled timber, resulting in a tactile environment with old-world charisma.

Due to the historic nature of the site and structures Archaeological overseeing was required adding a layer of complexity to structural strengthening and overall timeframes.

Collaborators included GHD Consultants and T&A Construction.