Having been members and key contributors to the Property Council of Australia for the past 16 years, the AMC team were very pleased to win Property Council of Australia Rider Levett Bucknall ACT Project of the Year, for the 2nd year running. Last year it was for Monash Green for Goodwin which also won National Lend Lease Award for Australia’s Best Retirement Living Development.
On this occasion it is for Equinox Business Park in Deakin. Equinox is one of the largest private sector commercial developments to be constructed in Canberra in recent times and has been designed to provide a business park solution for a range of office accommodation types. The Equinox concept celebrates the wonderful orientation and views associated with the site. It has a welcoming address and a simple and logical vehicular and pedestrian movement. It comprises 5 buildings with a total GFA of 23,979m² and 505 secure basement and 100 surface car parks. Office accommodation is provided in simple rectangular floor plates offering a range of sizes from 780m² – 2,500m² which are fitout friendly. It has been designed and constructed to achieve a 5 Star Green Star and NABERS rating and includes sun-shading, water harvesting, recycled materials, high levels of insulation (including double glazing), low embodied energy materials selection, integrated BMS and highly efficient plant and services amongst other initiatives. As a 24 hour facility lighting and safety are prime considerations. The public domain is the “glue” that ties the buildings together and has given a strong identity to the business park. The character is defined by the landscape planting structure, spatial arrangement and hard landscape materials palette. The over-arching design philosophy is to create a seamless transition between the buildings and the public domain. A pedestrian priority environment is achieved supported by architectural colonnades, signage and lighting. The planning of the central landscape space and terraces are integral to establishing a central focus and meeting place within the development. Retail is supported by visitation beyond the campus and therefore convenient pedestrian links are important. Short stay surface parking and iconic entry signage markers are important to defining the site and quality of the development.
AMC congratulates Evri Group and the Sarris family on this prestigious award which is a fitting reward for their long term commitment to this site and indeed Canberra.
To learn more about this project click here.