Initiation of the Mint or Historic Australian Architecture - Research Paper Example

Initiation of “The Mint" - Historic Australian architecture Contractors in 1810 were commissioned by Governor Lachlan Macquarie for the construction and design of a public building in Sydney. An exclusive partnership for importing rum in exchange for the General hospital - It became termed the “The Rum Hospital (Figure.1(Figure.2) Figure 1 Figure 2 BY 1814 civil architect Francis Greenway, The Governor was informed of columns not proportioned well to the veranda, with problems in the structure of the roof and foundation. By 1820 it was reported to be in a serious state of decay. The Southern wing was transformed into the Mint offices by 1855. The designs were based on Captain E.W Ward who worked on London’s Crystal palace with Joseph Paxton. The Mint building incorporated cast iron, prefabricated trusses that were imported from England. In 2005, The Mint was ready to undergo another transformation. The New South Wales Historic Houses Trust commissioned design of a new Mint head office to Francis-Jones Thorp. The brief was to combine conservation with contemporary Australian Architecture, layer modern fabrics and forms with those historically existing. The challenges of the brief were providing a public identity that was appropriate for a very significant institution and public space. The original plan was based on a central symmetry. The strategy by Francis-Jones-Thorpe was asymmetrical with new forms but respecting the original geometry. An entrance was established, by way of a primary axis, linking a small hospital entrance to an elegant glazed cleft alongside a boundary rusticated wall. Protective, hovering roof frames offer a Domain glimpse from Macquaries Street. Figure 3 reception-workspace entrance The Carole Simpson Research ~Library Collection (figure 4) is housed at the once "Superintendents office. It comprises of a huge book collection and artefacts. The once coining room stretched towards the boundary on the South where there is an insertion of aluminium rectilinear in the south east, staff rooms and design team housing. The saw tooth roof exists adjacently as a heritage reference. There is circulation around all buildings of the old sites juxtaposed with the new. Figure 4 Carole Simpson Research ~Library Collection Figure 5 workspace The 1850s central courtyard with the Rum hospital by Ward has transparent pavilions of Francis Thorp with an elevated grass plane. Figure 6 courtyard exterior foyer A new impressive element is a theatrette, a box of steel with cedar louver sheathed. The Mint is evident in that spatial organization mixed in robust materials, aluminium with layers of sparse c timber encumbers the goal towards intervention and conservation. Original fabric gets stabilized and preserved while contemporary technology and materials layered and occupies a ruin. Figure 7 theatrette Modernism of the Mint buildings was influenced by the Trust and heritage consultants. Strategies are evident at the entry foyer, where a suspended decks of timber hover on remnant trenches and footing. The newly inserted fabric glides past or rests on delicate original work surfaces. The Redevelopment of the Mint Reaching 2005, the twentieth-century Modernism responded to new technology advances with new architectural tactics. The key parties involved in the submission of a joint proposal to the PWC-Public Works Committee were Finance and Administration department ,Property and Construction department, the building owners and the tenant , The Royal Australian Mint , Department of the Treasury operating division responsible circulating and coin production in Australia Built in 1965 no major upgrading was undertaken of the Mint buildings. The condition of the building indicated reports that it was in need of refurbishment to remedy issues of non-compliance in fire safety and occupational health and safety, preserve heritage and ensure economic viability in the landmark building space utilization. A tourist destination attracting a range of 2ooooo visitors annually, the refurbishment was necessitated for an upgrade of amenities for visitors and staff Once refurbished, 13000m2 were to be allocated to the tenant, The Mint and 3000m2 to government agencies. The collaborative project cooperative between the mint and Finance, inclusive of building and tenant works to promote initiatives by government of environment policy. The main objectives: Preserve heritage, address non compliancy making it suitable for government agencies in Australia and the Mint. Provide efficient space usage, making additional leasable space to increase revenue and provide a return on investments Provide energy efficiency and incorporate environmental initiatives and design principles that are sustainable. To enable extension of the building life for at least 25 more years and fulfill the charter of the mint to be world class profitable and meet functional requirements effectively. Proposal description The refurbishment budget was in the range of $41.2 million over 3 years (2005-2008). Rationalizing the space following the refurbishment of the mint building, reduction of 3,000m² provided an additional vacant space for leasing commercially. The aim was to optimize utilization of space by Government’s building and maximize investment returns. Rental was estimated at $2.6 million per year. Administration building Refurbishment comprised of the following A full internal demolition in for the creation of the open floor base;  • A building Service structure;  • New required amenities;  • New coverings for the floors • New ceilings and lighting;  • New revised lift;  • Safety system and painting of the roof painting • New administration building staff parking   Process building  In order  to accommodate the  Mint’s functions, including  facilities for production that are  accommodated in the Process building, it required new offices for staff accommodation that were based at  the Administration building . In addition a new public exhibition and entry areas, which were also contained in the Administration building, works proposed were • New coverings for office floors exhibition and, public areas;  • New ceilings to office, public and exhibition areas (part only);  • Refurbishment of timber and concrete floors in the process building areas;  • New refurbished amenities;  • New to the process building at the ground floor;  • New staff and public parking arrangements for the mint;  • New forecourt for the public as well as an entry courtyard with access to the Mint;  • Basement tunnel linking to the vault; and  Security gates for goods delivery to south end of the Process building.  Heritage Considerations  The building refurbishment were not to adversely affect any heritage value within the buildings.  that were  proposed  for the buildings had to retain  building exterior maintaining it and limiting  alteration of original fabric of the  buildings original fabric, keeping the AHC and NCA  satisfied with actions in  order  to preserve the buildings heritage value .  Design Philosophy  Architecture the brief aimed at maximising existing facade and structures, maintaining heritage fabric, adopting a conventional technique for construction and using common materials used within contraction industries. And utilising durable and available materials to combine minimum maintenance with long life. Respecting heritage requirements associated with the location of buildings The refurbishment composed of four main components  The Administration building refurbished to provide a]] high quality office space for a tenant. The external Administration was in a good condition requiring minimal works. The interior parts of the Administration building were no longer serviceable. The refurbishment that was proposed comprises of a total demolition and a refit, except the entry lobby, where the stone wall and staircase were to be retained.    • Total Internal demolition was required for the creation of an open floor   • New building electrical, mechanical, and fire safety services;  • New lift adjacently placed to the main entrance;  • New male, female and disabled access toilets centrally located disabled, male and female toilets • New commercial office area quality carpet   • Refurbishment of stone flooring towards the lobby;  • New suspended, tiled acoustic tiled ceilings light fittings;   • Stairs revamped and upgraded in compliance with the BCA.  Energy Saving Energy efficient measures were energy lamps. All fittings were to be replaced by lamps that were energy efficient. All new fittings were to use electronic ballast replacing ballast of iron core. The electronic ballast reducing energy loss were low maintenance and extended the life of lamps Lighting controls were to be incorporated in the lighting design. The controls reduce unnecessary lighting after hours when areas remain unoccupied.  Hydraulic Services  Measures undertaken for minimise demand for potable water. These include waterless urinals; flush toilets that consist of 4.5/3 litre flushes;  Basin taps 3A rating in accordance, under 4.5 L/min); sinks and showers with a 3A rating, under 9.0 L/min).   Hot Water Generation  Hot water was to be generated by gas heaters, limited to 45°C in disabled facilities and 50°C to other facilities The project of the Mint required transformation of most precious and historical sites. Located on Macquarie Street it was to evolve into a public place of meaning. It was characterised and formed by contemporary buildings that were inserted carefully into the heritage structures adapted. The aim was predominantly to set a benchmark for Architecture design, adaptation and conservation of heritage buildings, integrating contemporary authentic architecture in heritage sites. Creating public places within heritage environments .Integrating environmentally sustainable designs in heritage sites. Interpreting and integrating archaeological remains      The Mint  at a point of ruin and vacant  with associated buildings  transformed into the main base and  Historic Houses  Trust headquarters .Architectural forms in contemporary form  have been inserted towards accommodating a public auditorium, foyer, exhibition areas and bar, while the existing buildings are adaptively reused as significant resource centres for public use and sufficient staff work environments . The public rooms and facilities are in a central courtyard that with a new significant form of city public space. The contemporary architectural structures form clear relations in proportion and scale with existing they create an innovative layer of the original forms. The approach of layering old with new is apparent in the courtyard design .Tickets symmetrical plan was Transformed into an axis in asymmetrical order. The complex assembling in layers reflecting dialectical character ,stone with glass, heavy with light, old with new. All open to analysis and interpretation.  The iconic Mint building with new elements introduced panelled and glazed elements in contrast with classical stripped facades. The existing loading dock and sally port was relocated creating an entry courtyard between the Royal Australian Mint and the Mint. The newly installed entrance opened the building publicly with a pathway to the street. The 1965 building transformation included an engineering services upgrade and coin production contemporary machinery, addressing compliance with codes of current practice. The revived design of the Mint responded to complexities of integrating and linking contemporary and administrative with tourist attraction and national museum. The gallery for education and visitor provided for an education center in contemporary form with a visitor gallery. It provides dedicated resources and facility service to the public as well as education providers’ .This ensures the Mint maintains responsibilities as Coin Collection curator, and promotes knowledge about culture and history of coins. The mint is recognized for production of numismatic coin of a high quality and non-coin productions for private and public sectors. The Australian identity and history is evident in a range of buildings - from austere and colonial grand regent architecture from Australian modernism to post colonialism incorporating the indigenous relics of the country. Transformation of the building needed major engineering installations for production of services from the mint. Three months after full refurbished average yearly visitors were intact. The design invigorated the journey for visitors to learn about the history of coins in australis REFERENCES 1. Architectural History (Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain). * Online Access. 2. Architectural Theory Review: Journal of the Department of Architecture, the University of Sydney. Fabrications: The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand. Grey Room (MIT Press). * Online Access Gibson, J. 1950. The Perception of the Visual World. Boston, Houghton Mifflin. 3. Gibson, J. 1966. The Senses Considered as Perceptual Systems. Boston, Houghton Mifflin. 4. Ghirado, D. Architecture after Modernism, Thames and Hudson, London, 1996. 5. Proposed Refurbishment of The Royal Australian Mint, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory IMAGES Apperly, R., Irving, R. & Reynolds, P. 1994, a Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian The mint SYDNEY LIVING MUSEUM ARCHITECTURE AUSTRALIA - ARCHITECTURE MEDIA PTY LTD Sydney Architecture Images- Central Business District Read More