82 Northbourne Avenue is a commercial development located within a strip of other commercial buildings on the eastern side of Northbourne Avenue at the edge of Canberra’s CBD. The building’s location provides the opportunity to utilise the existing services and reinforces Northbourne Avenue as the principle commercial thoroughfare entering Canberra.

The building has been designed as a simple, clean, open and transparent ‘box’. The façade is composed of flush or recessed glazing captured between exposed off-form concrete structural elements. Each façade responds to its orientation and will change in degrees of transparency and reflectivity across the duration of the day. The result is a clear view of the structural and environmental requirements of the building, maximising natural daylight into the building and contributing to a high level quality internal environment.

The depth of the floor plate is designed such that minimum distances to the external glazing can be achieved maximizing occupant amenity, natural light and views. The core of the building is designed as a flexible element along the northern façade; it acts to consolidate lifts, fire stairs, services and amenities to provide maximum efficiency. A generous pedestrian breezeway to the south provides connectivity between Northbourne Avenue and Mort Street, and a ground floor café to the west activates the principal façade, entry point and foyer.

The development comprises 7000m² of net lettable area over seven levels, with three below-ground car parking levels. The building footprint is approximately 59m in length x 20m in width. The building will be designed to provide an A-grade level of accommodation with an AGBR rating of 4.5 and a Green Star Rating of 4 stars.

Awards

2009 RAIA ACT Commercial Architecture Award