ASHTON RAGGATT MCDOUGALL - Research for Major Project

ARM - Ashton Raggat McDougall

Melbourne based Architectural Firm, Ashton Raggat McDougall (ARM), have received International recognition for their excellence in the design of Commercial/Retail, Cultural, Masterplanning, Health and Education and Residential Projects.

Since the company’s inception, ARM has maintained its dedication to design research and to speculative proposals that push the boundaries of architectural culture and of the city. ARM is at the forefront of research in digital imagery, the perception of space and form, and finally, the conversion of digital ideas to built form.






The Innovation Building at Digital Harbour, Docklands, Melbourne, was built in 2004 and was the highest performing ‘green’ building in the Docklands precinct at that time. This building, references themes from the technological age, by appropriating circuit boards, barcodes, morse code and binary numerals which are revealed by the randomly striated pre-cast concrete panel cladding and glazing.

The ‘Open Book’ extension to the existing St Kilda Town Hall and Library was built in 1994 and has received many design awards. The façade consists of a stone - clad book, the design referencing the bookish role of libraries, while the computer monitor shaped window penetration suggests that the technological age is emerging from the pages of the book. The open space in Carlisle Street was redeveloped as a public space, establishing a crossover to the library.

Deakin University Site Visit - Excursion (28.04.2008)

Deakin University - Site Visit 4
Excursion

This shows an existing column which has been sprayed with some type of fire retardant. It has been applied to prevent the steel structure behaving like 'spaghetti' in the case of a fire, Bruce mentioned that it would last at least a couple of hours - long enough to evacuate the building. It is also assumed that it meets the latest industry standards.











This is the underside of the new extension to the existing brick building. As can be seen, concrete construction has been utilised. Bruce mentioned that the concrete is nearing the end of the setting process and the last of the angle bracing will soon be removed.








This photos illustrates all the correct safety fences
required for contractors on Union sites.



















This photo is an excellant example of utilising the old structure to help build the new structure . Firstly, the existing floor provides tradesman and materials with protection from the elements on the worksite, while also having the potential to allow a slab or similar to complete the setting process. Secondly it could be used as a kind of formwork, a platform to help contractors build the new glass atrium which is part of the design at roof level.











Shown here is a steel column with bolt holes, this indicates where the ceiling level was previously, the ceiling beam and therefore the ceiling and floor levels have been raised to suit the design of the new building. The building now has 5 levels instead of 6 levels.













The existing building has been utislised many times throughout the construction to fix new elements. Here you can see new cross-bracing elements connected to existing steel beams and columns.











While, this photo shows the detail of a new pre-cast concrete panel lift shaft tied back to an existing brickwall and column with the use of 'C' purlins also.














A steel portal frame with an exposed ceiling. Purlins and fire services can be seen.