Cars out in latest Swanston Street revamp
Recently I found a good post posted earlier today, by Eli, over on The Planning Boardroom entitled Cars out in latest Swanston Street revamp that I would suggest everyone reads. Here’s a couple of extracts in order to whet your appetites!
CARS are set to disappear from Swanston Street – for good. After decades of debate, confusing changes and shambolic decision-making, Melbourne City Council has settled on the details of a car-free thoroughfare for the city and will start construction next month. Lord mayor Robert Doyle – who 2½ years ago promised to return private vehicles to Swanston Street – will affirm his change of heart by overseeing an overhaul that will give the entire street over to pedestrians, cyclists and trams. Safety authorities have given the plan final approval and work will begin on the $7.8 million first stage in front of the State Library on May 20. When completed next year, the $25.6 million redesign will include four new expanded tram stops. The tracks will be lowered to improve access to low-floor trams, and footpaths extended to meet the trams.
Now then, reading this started me thinking so I did a google search for some other posts on the subject and discovered some more gems. e.g. this post by Andie Noonan, posted last week, over on Star Online:
“What I’ll do in the meantime is be the main contact for the City of Melbourne so they’re not getting bombarded with phone calls and emails, and I’ll set up a meeting with the City of Melbourne in the next fortnight and get as many of the groups here to attend that … make the leases official.” Daniel said the council had not flagged any rental increases and said ‘hot desks’ used by the Zoe Belle Gender Centre and the Anti-Violence Project may still remain in office space used by MQFF or possibly gay and lesbian radio station JOY94.9, situated on the floor above. Daniel said the situation with ALSO would not impact on MQFF’s operations. “It doesn’t affect us in a formal sense.
Another fine article came from revolgroup over on REVOLGROUP posted back in March and entitled CH2 Melbourne City Council House 2 ? DesignInc which is also definitely worth a read.
These designs were also a reference for the artwork and sculptures chosen for the building. The structure is based on a cruciform plan. Large glass areas on the southern entry side of the building and the clear glazing in the overhead cruciform shape, allows natural daylight to stream down onto the water feature below, minimizing artificial lighting requirements without increasing solar gain. The extensive thermal mass of all the perimeter crypts and massive concrete blade provides an integrally stable thermal environment to begin with.To compliment this mass, ventilation systems have been incorporated to alienate the build of carbon dioxide during services with large numbers of people to further stabilise internal conditions. A BMS linked in internal and external sensors, high level mechanically operated windows and the automatic entry doors provides cross ventilation and passive environmental control. The interconnected spaces and shapes within and around the building provide a strong spiritual ambience that evokes a sense of serenity, reverence and the eternal.