Realm Adelaide tower near Rundle Street has been redesigned owing to higher wind pressure on the 132m-tall building
ARCHITECTS have revised the design of what will be Adelaide’s tallest apartment tower. See the changes here and tell us what you think.
THE exterior of a landmark $100 million apartment tower under construction in Adelaide's East End has been redesigned to counter wind-loads on the building’s increased height, its architect says.
Adelaide City Council has approved a final design for the 132m-tall Realm Adelaide tower, involving a redistribution of gold-coloured mesh panels on the eastern and western sides of what will be Adelaide's tallest apartment tower and equal second-tallest building.
The Austin St property, which is being built over the Renaissance Arcade, will feature 310 apartments. It is scheduled for completion by late 2019.
Elenberg Fraser associate architect James Harbard said the reallocation of panels was to counteract higher wind-loads on the building, which was initially designed as a 30-level building but was increased in height to 40 levels in 2016.
“We originally envisaged the facade screening of the building being a very light perforated mesh that was both transparent and would assist in reducing heat and provide similar shade to sitting under a tree,” Mr Harbard said.
“We have engineered a solution to get the facade to operate as per its original intent, without bulking it up with unnecessary steel work to counteract higher wind-loads at Level 40.
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“The updated design still honours the original theme of the building, and the changes made have come about so the exterior design delivers the best result for residents.”
He said glazing to the windows and glass specifications had also been increased to counter Adelaide’s extreme summer heat.
The design of Realm’s interior is unchanged.
Realm Adelaide sales director Ben Small said 91 per cent of apartments had been sold.