Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - HandrailWintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Fence, ForestWintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Lighting, FacadeWintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Lighting, FacadeWintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - More Images+ 12

  • Architects: Studio 505
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  4000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2012
  • Photographs
    Photographs:John Gollings

© John Gollings

“The Wintergarden Façade is a radically experiential composition, a complex and beautiful study of nature, geometry and layering that communicates the rich diversity of life”

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Lighting, Facade
© John Gollings

© John Gollings

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.

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Image 13 of 17
© John Gollings

© John Gollings

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.

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Handrail
© John Gollings

© John Gollings

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.

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Fence, Forest
© John Gollings

© John Gollings

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 the system’s 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.

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Lighting, Facade
© John Gollings

© John Gollings

Every panel and layer in the 4,000m2 façade has a unique design that is fully expressed through the dynamic, experiential interplay between a considered but expansive palette of colours and a rich language of cutting, scoring, folding and lighting all of which coalesce as a rich, coherent, cultural experience.

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Windows, Facade, Cityscape
© John Gollings

© John Gollings

Our work on Wintergarden has enriched the studio's knowledge in the fields of screen geometry, cutting, folding and panelising to the point where the most complex elements of design and construction are converted from creative potential and idealism to practical achievability.

Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505 - Image 11 of 17
© John Gollings

Courtesy of Studio 505

Viewed from the street corners at Edward and Elizabeth, and Queen and Edward the new façade clearly establishes Wintergarden as the undisputable 'living heart' of this busy urban thoroughfare.

Elevation 01

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Project location

Address:Brisbane QLD, Australia

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Wintergarden Façade / Studio 505" 13 Jul 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/253599/wintergarden-racade-studio-505> ISSN 0719-8884

© John Gollings

冬日花园立面 / Studio 505

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