dandenong csh

VICURBAN Ref No: RCDT132 Request for Quote for Central Services Hub Building Architectural Guidelines | Dandenong CSH Architectural Concept | Di Mase Architects + Katsieris Origami

What can happen when we stitch a

next-generation power facility into

the urban fabric of Dandenong?

• We can create a new building type

that captures people’s imagination

• We can instill a sense of civic

pride within the community

• We can create an integrated

energy source that connects

buildings and people in a

revitalized urban setting

• Most importantly we can make a

real difference to the environment.

mailto:adm%40dimasearchitects.com.au?subject=RCD%20T132%20-%20REQUEST%20FOR%20QUOTATION


01 PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

The Central Services Hub is a great opportunity for the community of Dandenong.

It is an opportunity to radically challenge the existing inefficient model of remote power generation.

It is an opportunity to capture the public’s imagination and awareness for a clean, green and energy efficient future.

It is an opportunity to provide a catalyst for the continuing urban revitalisation of Dandenong.



Our role as architects is to create a visual brief that

captures the functional and spatial requirements as well as

an encapsulation of the vision that VicUrban has for this

project to transform Dandenong.

Our role as architects is to

1. MAKE the complex and technical process of tri-

generation clearly work in the urban setting of

Dandenong,

2. MAKE the process of power generation and

connectivity to other buildings and infrastructure

apparent to the community,

3. SEEK ways to integrate this new building type into the

urban and physical setting of Dandenong,

4. SEEK energy efficiencies and life cycle outcomes for

the new building and infrastructure,

5. FIND an appropriate architectural expression in this

new building type – within the context of adjacent

developments

and

6. FIND ways to bring materiality, detail, craft and a

human scale to the urban setting.

02 OUR ROLE and RESPONSIBILITY

A well-defined visual brief will ensure that future design

responses address the technical parameters and

architectural aspirations of the project.

There are 5 areas of research and development that will

deliver this outcome.

1. FORM FOLLOWS PROCESS – Understanding and

implementing the design parameters of a highly

technical and engineering driven process.

2. CIVIC PRIDE – Making the building responsive to the

Dandenong Urban Setting.

3. REVEALING the WORKINGS – Finding an appropriate

level of transperancy + permeability to the building

and urban setting.

4. CRAFT + DETAIL – Finding ways to bring craft, detail

and materiality to the urban setting.

5. NEW MODEL / EXEMPLAR and BEACON – Exploring

the new building type that can deliver clean, green

technology to the community.

VICURBAN’s commitment to consultation, communication

and exchange of ideas will lead to an outcome that meets

the aspirations of the community.



03 FORM FOLLOWS PROCESS

Brief requirements

Spatial requirements

Planning framework

Site conditions

Edge conditions

Technology and engineering

Community

Precedents

Exemplars

Form and shape

Human and Urban Scale

Light, shade and texture

Materiality, detail and craft

Circulation path in and around building

Integration of technology and learning

Landscape + Open spaces

Interface with Public

Identity and Clarity of Expression

Context drawings

Opportunities + constraints

Benchmark of design

Urban solution

Design report

Plans + Images

1 2 3

We can’t stress the importance of working together to achieve common

interests for the project. Different viewpoints, technical requirements

and ideas for the project need to be managed through a series of

structured workshops and discussions to find common interests and

aspirations for the project.

Given the right framework the development of a visual brief will require

1 A commitment to the task

2 Thorough Research

3 Thorough Consultation

With the right framework we can work together to achieve a workable

visual brief that will benefit the community of Dandenong. Our

research, analysis, consultation and design skills, together with your

ideas, technical knowledge and aspirations for the project mean that

we can formulate a rigourous and clear direction for the project.

4



The success of this project must be built upon a clear understanding of

the technical requirements for tri-generation and a clear understanding of

the urban design parameters for Dandenong. Just as important as formal

and functional requirements of the project will be the level of detail, craft,

permeability and materiality that will enable this building to come to life and

capture people’s imagination for this new technology.

The task is to develop the project design around the core parameters

of urban form and function; the outcome will be strongly guided by the

functional needs of the power generation. Having such an understanding

of the technical requirements - the project design needs to evolve

into an elaboration of the power generation itself – that is the building

needs to reveal parts of its workings to a curious public. By embedding

such a building type in this location opportunities arise for a technical

expressiveness and a connectivity to other buildings and place that

suggests a semi transperant skin revealing a beating heart and selective

views into the inner workings of the building.

Importantly, whilst the building is important it is a building that is part of

a city and it is crucially important that an appropriate level of expression

and presence is given to the building. It is a building that services

other buildings and rather that attempt to design a building that stamps

its presence on the city – it needs to find an appropriate architectural

expression in the hierarchy of the city. In terms of the city the building

should have a quiet expressiveness but by no means silent. This point is

particularly important as the project is a new type of building – a type that

will become increasingly relevant in the coming years.

04 UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE and PLACE



05 REALISING the POTENTIAL

This project design has great potential stemming from the fact that

the building type is new. As such we have the opportunity to define

the architectural language of this type of building whilst it is in its

infancy.

We see the building as being part of Dandenong’s rich industrial

history. The buildings of the mid 20th century heralded an

optimism for the future based on manufacturing and a can-do

spirit. We see the idea of process, legibility and honest expression

of materials as being core architectural ideas that we can carry

through this building type. We see this building as a new industrial

type based on clean power close to the people it serves. The

materials may be different and the building type more complex and

demanding – however its expression needs to come from the heart

of Dandenong’s industrial and manufacturing tradition.



+Antony Di Mase’s design philosophy emerged from consultative approach with many

clients and key stakeholders, a passion for design and creativity and a willingness to

work on many tightly configured sites and difficult programmes. Antony’s 20 years of

professional experience includes involvement in complex projects such as the Crown

Casino Retail Street and Visy Paper Recycling Plant. Formed in 2001, Di Mase Architects

has embraced residential projects, commercial, retail and hospitality projects, community

and institutional projects and urban design projects for Frankston Council.

Antony is well known for his finely detailed architecture and interiors, his thorough

approach to design services and his implementation of sound, design-driven processes.

After a visit to Shanghai Antony returned with a renewed commitment and sense of

urgency towards implementing sustainable design practices. From this experience

Antony has become a strong advocate for re-lifing old buildings and integrating and

consolidating new buildings into the physical and social contexts that they occupy.

As an architect Antony believes that design needs to be part of the environmental

solution and believes the environmental issue cannot be solved by simply commissioning

eco-frendly buildings and green washing existing products and services.

Since witnessing the situation in China, the practice has developed a new mantra:-

Design More and Consume Less. It is a design and philosophical approach that seeks

to make design part of the solution to environmental issues.

This philosophy has guided every project since and continues to evolve with each new

opportunity and task.

At its heart - the project’s success depends primarily on the response to urban parameters and its

functionality as a energy source to the City of Dandenong.

The way in which the project design is crafted and articulated at a human scale is crucially important in

the integration of the building to its setting.

Understanding these 2 contrasting parameters (big and small scale, urban and human scale,

functionality and aesthetics), we have proposed a team approach of 2 principal architects – each with

different relevant experiences and a shared interest in design, architecture and the environment.

This collaboration of 2 architects each with 20 years experience will enable creative responses both

at the urban and pedestrian level and bring a level of detail, materiality and craft to this building type.

Both architects have worked on complex and technical projects and have the experience to work

with and understand the engineering parameters that will be crucial to the buildings functionality and

success.

Just as important is the ability to navigate a way through such a rigourous process to achieve an

architectural expression that is cohesive and appropriate to this new building type.

Antony and Paul will be directly responsible and accountable for communications, workshops and

design issues related to the project.

Supporting Antony and Paul will be a dedicated team of about 4 staff – all of whom have expressed

their strong interest in this project.

Our office in North Fitzroy has grown steadily over the past 7years to include the latest CAD software,

communication technology plus high standards in management and communication.

Our staff are highly trained and skilled in translating ideas into drawings, text, presentations and images

that are clear and accurate.

We believe the combination of experiences enables our practice to successfully a project that meets

the aspirations for VICURBAN.

06 TEAM APPROACH

KATSIERIS O R I G A M I

KATSIERIS ORIGAMI Architecture + Urbanism was founded by Paul Katsieris in 2009

as an architecture studio specializing in combining contemporary cultural discourse and

research with commercial practice and built works.

Prior to founding Katsieris Origami, Paul was with the international practice HASSELL

for 21 years and was an Equity Principal of the firm for 12 years. He specialized in the

architecture of major commercial and public projects and was the primary creative

designer and Design Architect responsible for the Commonwealth Law Courts Building,

Melbourne; he collaborated on the designs for the Urban Workshop Office Tower,

Melbourne, “The Age” Newspaper’s Print Centre in Tullamarine and various commercial

and public projects throughout Australia and Asia.

Paul also authored a number of a significant smaller scale projects including a

“regeneration-series” of public schools in Victoria and Tasmania and suburban

rail stations including the recently published Heatherdale Station, Melbourne. His

architectural skills range from creative conceptual design to detailed project design

and his work has been recognised by awards and by articles in both Australian and

international architecture journals.

Paul has also traveled extensively, working on the designs of significant projects in China,

Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand and has taught design studios and guest-lectured

in various architecture schools in Australia. He is a long-serving member of the AIA

Education Committee and lives in Melbourne.

Paul’s primary expertise and speciality is in dealing with technical projects and

synthesizing complex issues and requirements into an architectural whole.



Thank you for reviewing our submission. . .

This project is both exciting and necessary if we are to make a positive environmental change to how our urban settings work.

As architects determined to making environmental change possible – we are both passionate and committed to the task of making this project a new model for a green future.

If you have any questions about our submission please call Antony on 0419 505 608 or [email protected]



dandenong csh

Design

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community of dandenong

urban fabric of dandenong

new building type

physical setting of

revitalized urban setting

building responsive