Computershare

Buildcorp Victoria completed the workplace fit-out for valued client Computershare in a refurbished heritage warehouse that was previously the old Yarra Falls Spinning Mills.

The fit-out spans three levels, including a feature staircase and an inner-tenancy bridge.

Buildcorp were appointed as Head Contractor for the Computershare Yarra Falls Office Fit-out after an extensive ECI process.

The fit-out of the existing and newly refurbished heritage Spinning Mills warehouse includes:

• Staircase and bridge by subcontractor Active Metal
• Heart Space – including a coffee bar and seating area
• 30 meeting rooms
• Boardroom
• Kitchen & breakout spaces
• Terrace and entertainment space
• Collaboration spaces
• 400 workstations
• Library on each floor
• Branding and signage

The key element in this project is the structural steel feature staircase and architectural bridge delivered by Active Metal – offering a visually and physically connected open-plan workplace. The bridge is a 14 meter-long horizontal connection across the workplace, finished with glazed balustrades and 56 decorative stainless steel cables giving the aura of a suspension bridge, catching and reflecting the abundant natural light in the atrium. The plate steel balustrades double as a structural element of the switchback staircase.

Given this is a historic building, we needed to avoid any structural connections from the bridge and stair to the brickwork. To overcome this, we introduced a self-supported system with spreading beams on top of the existing slab structure and covered them with a platform. We critiqued the supporting design to avoid columns under the landing which would have interrupted the flow of the platform space.

The Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process allowed us to work with Computershare and the consultant team to achieve a $1.1m saving whilst maintaining the design intent. We created early procurement packs to further alleviate programme pressures. We managed to pre-order all the mechanical equipment which meant we had units on site day one of the project’s commencement. These are typically a driver of the critical path and would normally arrive weeks into the project programme. We also procured the stair early to de-risk the programme and devised a solution to handover a workspace early to relive operating pressures for Computershare.