71 Langridge Street
Less than 3 kilometres northeast of Melbourne’s business district lies Collingwood. Recently, the industrial suburb has undergone a thorough transformation, becoming a new home for businesses and residents alike. At 71 Langridge Street, a former warehouse now hosts creative workspaces, a garden terrace and a multi-level art gallery. Designed by local architectural firm Preston Lane, the building features SlimLine 38 windows by Reynaers Aluminium, which complement the project’s distinctive look.
Past and present in harmony
Collingwood is Melbourne’s local haven for everything that is trendy. The vibrant and eclectic suburb thrives with its creative studios, bars, galleries, and many restaurants. It is one of the oldest districts of Melbourne, with many 19th –century buildings still in use. Past and present coexist, with converted warehouses and modern street art adding to the suburb’s gritty charm.
A prime example of the ongoing rejuvenation process can be found on Langridge Street. Here, a time-worn warehouse has been given a second life as a modern office building with all the latest technology. The 7-level 5,300-square-metre development project contains lofty shared office spaces, a private art gallery, 58 car spaces, 80 bike and scooter spaces, and a luscious rooftop garden terrace. On the inside too, heritage and modern architectural elements come together in harmony, from the building’s internal brickwork to its exposed services, raw concrete and designer furniture and finishes.
From 19th-century abandoned warehouse...
Façades like a work of art
Award-winning architectural practice Preston Lane has given shape to two uniquely different façades that complement each other in every detail. The main building stays true to the original warehouse's style, with a red-brick and stained concrete façade. The rear wall of the internal lifts and shaft are glazed revealing a private art gallery within the fire stair as you move up and down the different floors.
The black façade of the second building features a large, glazed surface with intricately patterned louvres (not a Reynaers Aluminium solution). The louvres are not merely a design statement; they block out the sun and heat to contribute to a more comfortable indoor office climate. While the striking building envelope contrasts heavily with the modest brick walls, both units are connected from the inside and through the tranquil rooftop garden.
SlimLine 38: a renovation-friendly solution
At the start of the renovation, both the architects at Preston Lane and developer Domain Hill wanted to respect the former warehouse’s heritage, while making it a futureproof commercial hotspot. To capture the traditional look-and-feel of steel factory windows and to ensure ultimate indoor comfort, they chose SlimLine 38 windows by Reynaers Aluminium. Thanks to their slender yet sturdy design, the windows can create large glass surfaces with very limited sightlines. Available in multiple designs, thermal insulation levels and opening configurations, SlimLine 38 is the perfect solution for urban renovation projects such as 71 Langridge Street.
