Alexander Building - ACT 2606 – Office

Alexander Bldg ACT 2606

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Adapting and reusing existing buildings to contemporary standards and purposes can offer a sustainable alternative to new builds. With a focus on the environmental benefits of repurposing much of their existing structures, developer Doma Group transformed two imposing Woden town centre office towers into airy and textural warehouse and loft-style apartments, along with mixed-use activation of the surrounds. Alexander & Albermarle were among the first buildings constructed in Canberra’s Woden Valley but had become derelict before redevelopment. The recent transformation of these twin 1960s government office buildings by Doma Group with Cox Architecture has delivered a bustling community hub within a contemporary mixed-use precinct while preserving some architectural history. The project preserved the impressive concrete structure of the two towers for lower-density urban living. The site’s smaller annexes made way for a new retail and commercial thoroughfare centred on an activated mews, with the lower structures topped by amenities including a pool. Architect Paul Milwood says undertaking alterations and additions within an existing building is harder for designers and builders as available documentation is generally simplistic and buildings contain unexpected differences.

Adapting and reusing existing buildings to contemporary standards and purposes can offer a sustainable alternative to new builds. Read more

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Australian Glass Group
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Revitalization of Woden's historic office towers into vibrant loft-style apartments and mixed-use spaces, blending contemporary living with architectural heritage.

Adapting and reusing existing buildings to contemporary standards and purposes can offer a sustainable alternative to new builds.

With a focus on the environmental benefits of repurposing much of their existing structures, developer Doma Group transformed two imposing Woden town centre office towers into airy and textural warehouse and loft-style apartments, along with mixed-use activation of the surrounds.

Alexander & Albermarle were among the first buildings constructed in Canberra’s Woden Valley but had become derelict before redevelopment.

The recent transformation of these twin 1960s government office buildings by Doma Group with Cox Architecture has delivered a bustling community hub within a contemporary mixed-use precinct while preserving some architectural history.

The project preserved the impressive concrete structure of the two towers for lower-density urban living. The site’s smaller annexes made way for a new retail and commercial thoroughfare centred on an activated mews, with the lower structures topped by amenities including a pool.

Architect Paul Milwood says undertaking alterations and additions within an existing building is harder for designers and builders as available documentation is generally simplistic and buildings contain unexpected differences.

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For the Alexander building, levels one to eight were each converted into 11 one and two-bedroom apartments; two additional levels accommodate a dozen double-storey loft residences, plus two other apartments. The top of the building core, previously used for plant equipment, was converted to a three-bedroom dual-level penthouse.

The project incorporated apartment balconies while maintaining the design integrity of the original building façade. Also carried through were existing ceiling heights of 3.6 metres for residential levels and 5.2 metres for the ground-level foyer. Apartment interiors also featured rustic brick walls within their layouts.

Paul says the buildings’ thick high-strength concrete floors provided a sizeable thermal mass with minimal thermal bridging – ideal for passive design.

“The floors were constructed to meet Commonwealth standards for compactus use at the time. These standards were much higher than today’s requirements where electronic storage has replaced paper storage.”

In contrast, all existing glazing, produced to an out-of-date standard, had to be upgraded to comply with current building code requirements.

“Upgrading the glazing to Insulglass LowE Plus® high performance systems has worked exceptionally well to reduce energy use and increase user comfort in both the ground-floor commercial tenancies and the apartments above. VLT is high, allowing for natural light to flood the interiors,” Paul says.