Inside Festival: Tony Materne of MPH Architects explains how the Australian firm created a huge construction training facility «within the existing envelope» of a former Adelaide car plant (+ movie). «So we created this air movement through the whole of the facility for most of the year.»
Bold, brightly-coloured signage was introduced to help students and visitors navigate the complex. You can watch all the movies below. Dezeen Book of Interviews: our new book, featuring conversations with 45 leading figures in architecture and design, is on sale now»Because of the sheer size of the facility, we needed to introduce a very strong way-finding strategy,» says Materne. Award entries for next year’s festival are open from February 2015. MPH Architects kept the existing shell of the plant intact and built the new campus inside it. Related story: Hong Kong restaurant by Joyce Wang wins World Interior of the Year 2014″Transparency was absolutely key to the success of this project,» says Materne, «both to showcase the activities within to the general public and to create very strong connectivity between staff and students.»
For the majority of the year, the facility is not air-conditioned, relying on natural ventilation to cool it down. The project was completed last year and the architect claims that it has been a huge success with staff and students alike. «So the approach we took was to create a campus with buildings within the existing envelope.»
The firm used glass extensively throughout the complex to ensure visibility between the different workspaces and other areas. «The state government realised the potential for the site and decided to rejuvenate the area as a hub for commerce, education and innovation,» explains MPH Architects partner Tony Materne in the movie. «It has taken the lecturing staff on a new journey of delivery of their curriculum and it has been really well embraced by all.»
Inside Festival took place at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from 1 to 3 October. «It’s fabulous to see how staff and students have really embraced the new facility,» he says.
