silver top taxi
DESCRIPTION
This project came about as a result of a catastrophic fire at the headquarters of Silver Top Taxis in 2009. The company’s history is synonymous with Melbourne. This family business has evolved from the horse drawn Hansom Cabs of the 19th Century through to the historic Astoria Taxis to become today’s Silver Top Taxis. Our solution for the architecture and interior design embraces the cultural, industrial and transport heritage of Melbourne. The exterior public address and its interior both take their cue from the city’s Hoddle grid with its wide streets, boulevards and parks; translating them into circulation spines, offices, open plan work areas, courtyard, terraces and. The sawtooth roof provides a sense of space, light and volume in the interior space. Use of repetition and colour creates a bold graphic quality that pays homage to the works of Jeffrey Smart. A playful use of the iconic hook turn graphic reminds one of being “in Melbourne”. Colour is an integral element in the design, from the ever-present yellow and red façade, to the soft greys and warm natural tones of interiors, to the call centre russet accented acoustic wall.TRANSCRIPT
Silver Top Taxi HQ
from urban morphology
to building typology
the fire - 28 July 2009........
Silver Top Taxis as it was........
the aftermath........
Melbourne founded 1835 | Joseph Gange establishes company 1850
History of Silver Top Taxi is synonymous with Melbourne
parallel history
Melbourne - urban morphology
the Hoddle Grid
green / open spaces…the city’s lungs
design metaphors
Hoddle Grid green / open space
the site
Hoddle Grid transposed
Hoddle Grid translated
green spaces translated……..
Hoddle Grid Facade
blank facade
Hoddle Grid
Hoddle Grid transposed
grid rhythm translated
western sun shading
entries defined
taxi museum
stairs
inside & outside
the ubiquitous hook turn
reception
courtyard
break-out / kitchen
call centre (industrial context translated……..)
industrial context……..
graphic overlay……..
www.bcarch.net
@baldassocortese