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08_Cordova Parkade
Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure
Consolidated Rental Car Facility and Parking Garage
Helios House
Mercedes-Benz of San Francisco Automotive Dealership
Nunawading Toyota
Nutwood Parking Facility at California State University Fullerton
parkit here
Rooftecture O-K
Thiais Bus Centre Administrative Building
Veranda Car ParkNunawading Toyota
The canopy of this car dealership provides a visual transition from the striking twisted roof above to the ground-level showroom.
The challenge for the architects of Nunawading Toyota was to address the traditional showroom building typology to help sell cars through the architectural experience. The solution was to create a showpiece dealership within the budgetary framework and basic construction methodology that exists with similar buildings.
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The building was designed so that the inside could be read from the outside, yet the canopy provides a transitional space separating the two. The associated sales and administrative offices provide a backdrop to the experience of the space. The regressive rather than aggressive sales approach is integral to this idea.
Energy efficiency is an integral part of the architecture. The building features energy-efficient glazing, natural light in all work areas, and solar shading for the east, west, and north facades. Additionally, the architects placed the expansive showroom frontages on the south to avoid direct heat gain.
The twisted roof form was developed as a striking element to stand out against other retail buildings. Pronounced by the extruded fascia edge, the longitudinal roof structure is uncomplicated so that it can be readily perceived at highway speed, as well as feeling approachable at walking pace. The nose structure and under-canopy area form a welcoming gesture, and a spatial transition to enhance the journey from exterior to interior showroom space. The horizontal slot separates the roof form from the canopy element to resolve a complicated junction, while adding tension to the weighted form of the front entry composition.
The glass façade aids the lightweight appearance of the roof. The curved center panels continue the linear flow of the building. The corporate signage band forms an integral architectural element, floating forward of the glass facade, rather than a dominating fascia band.
To achieve simplicity of form, the design was based on the idea that elements had to be balanced in a manner akin to the form of a snowdrift. That is, all parts form part of the whole to achieve a balanced equilibrium. Like the featheredge of a snowdrift, the single line of the fascia edge was the most important aspect to achieve this desired built form.
Formal name of building:
Nunawading Toyota
Location:
275 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading, Victoria, Australia
Completion Date: January 2004
Total project cost: AUD$7.0 million
Gross square footage: 4,400,000 sq.ft.
Owner:
Toyota Motor Corporation of Australia
Architect:
Gray Puksand (design) in association with Michael Z Avramidis
Level 3, 577 Little Bourke Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
P: (03) 9221 0999
F: (03) 9221 0998
Web: www.graypuksand.com.au
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