Wilmac Properties engaged Maben Group as the principal contractor for their office development in Richmond. Designed by Watson Young Architects and inspired by Richmond’s rich industrial heritage, the development involved the construction of 14 fully self-contained three-storey offices.
Works began in early 2021, with the demolition of the existing industrial buildings on a challenging site – surrounded by a primary school, several residential towers, and adjoining businesses.
Site constraints and lack of useable free space required careful planning and scheduling of site deliveries and material handling processes to manage contaminated soils and to facilitate the installation of bored piers and footings, full-height precast panels, structural steel, and daily concrete pours.
iCo Richmond features a combination of recycled red bricks and feature precast panels on the facade. The industrial-looking structure is in contrast with black aluminium framed windows and timber veneer doors, aluminium screens, and pedestrian gates. Roof-top decks, planter box garden beds, and climbing vines provide greenery to the external common areas.
Internally, steel staircases have been installed with Flooded Gum timber treads and black steel balustrades. Each office is finished with feature timber bulkheads installed on the upper floors and contrasting black kitchenette joinery and service riser cupboards. Futurewood decking together with planter boxes on the balconies and rooftop terraces provide a great external space for the occupier, providing stunning views of the Melbourne city skyline.
Maben Group commenced construction in January 2021, and despite the challenging site conditions and COVID-19 disruptions, the project was successfully completed in 13 months.
Photography by Dishan Marikar & Lisbeth Grosmann.
Gallery.
