Concept for Two Storey Office Space and Warehouse, Merkel Street, Thurgoona
The design of this commercial facility is driven by the need to balance strong street presence with robust industrial performance. The architectural composition—combining crisp white panel cladding with dark brickwork—was selected to create a visually striking yet durable façade that anchors the building within its commercial context. This contrast establishes a clear architectural hierarchy, ensuring the building reads as contemporary, professional, and highly legible from the public realm.
Large-format glazing is strategically positioned to introduce natural light deep into the interior while breaking down the building’s mass. This enhances workplace amenity, reduces reliance on artificial lighting, and contributes to a more inviting frontage. The glazing rhythm also reinforces the building’s modern identity and provides visual transparency where public engagement is most appropriate.
Operational efficiency is a core driver of the design. The covered loading dock is integrated along the service edge of the site to support heavy vehicle movements while minimising conflict with customer and staff circulation. Concrete dado panels are incorporated at the warehouse interface to provide impact resistance and longevity, ensuring the building can withstand the demands of industrial use. Metal cladding above the dado line maintains a clean, minimalist aesthetic while offering cost-effective durability.
Vertical architectural elements and signage zones are embedded into the façade to enhance wayfinding and strengthen the building’s presence without overwhelming the overall composition. Landscaping and structured parking arrangements complete the design, providing a clear, organised interface between the building and the street.
Collectively, these decisions ensure the building is not only visually refined but also highly functional, resilient, and adaptable—delivering a design that meets operational requirements while contributing positively to the surrounding built environment.
