The DJAS team was approached by Centuria to investigated design solutions to reenergise and visually connect two of the buildings in their portfolio, 54 and 60 Marcus Clarke Street.  The buildings sit adjacent to each other; 60 on the corner of Marcus Clarke Street and Barry Drive, 54 immediately next to it.  The primary foci of the project were to enliven the foyer spaces to each building using formal and visual cues to link them, as well as to develop an end of trip facility to 60.  Careful consideration was given to removing or making sense of the ill-considered, disparate additions that each foyer had collected at various points over the past decades.

Both buildings were given the impression of connection though the use of large format pavers seamlessly spanning the entirety of 54 and 60 to both buildings’ boundaries.

The foyer of 54 afforded the opportunity to create a visually reduced and lighter solution to the one that preceded it.  A timber batten element, raised ceiling (with hidden pelmet lighting to all wall/ceiling junctions), and the use of a neutral colour palette worked together to act as a blank, yet interesting canvas to support the incorporation of a bright Moooi Amoeba rug with Vibia pendant lighting above as a striking focal point upon entry.

The foyer to 60, a much larger space, presented a more difficult challenge than 54’s.  60’s foyer comprised two distinct spaces delineated with columns, glazing and indoor planters – a legacy of a time when one of these spaces was uncovered, an outdoor space.  Measures were taken to bring the two spaces together through the removal or adjustment of planters/glazing, new timber panelling and pelmet lighting (both similar to 54).  A large banquette seat and solid surface counter were installed to visually unclutter the space while offering more ways to interact with it than only table seating.  All patching to the existing nearly 30 year old travertine walls and floor was done almost seamlessly.  Finally a large operable wall was installed on the corner to allow for indoor/outdoor connection.  The new paving was raised and levelled at this point and a retaining wall with timber seat detail was installed between the columns local to the corner to create an interesting new outdoor experience.