A collaboration between long term creative partners SLAB Architecture and DKO Architecture, Down Street intends to deliver a purpose-built home for DKO’s Melbourne studio, while also becoming a ‘co-working’ incubator for local design-related businesses.
Located within the developing context of Collingwood’s heartland, the design aspires to energise the weary condition of the post-industrial street. With interfaces to both Down Street and John Street, a ground floor throughway links the two, forming the first part of a proposed pedestrian laneway system from Campbell Street to Wellington Street. The lane will be bordered by a gallery and theatre with café adjacent, creating an activated communal space that can be enjoyed by tenants and the wider community. Space for more than 90 bicycles and end of trip facilities in the basement aim to encourage human powered transport alternatives, with both the Smith Street tram network and nearby Collingwood Railway Station reducing tenants’ and visitors’ reliance cars.
The building desires to become an incubator for local creative industries with each space leased to like-minded businesses. An interconnected stairwell creates opportunity for the effortless sharing of resources and knowledge while increasing the level of physical activity for the community within.
An energetic creative activity centre, Down Street has been designed to position itself as an innovative beacon within Collingwood’s changing urban ecosystem.
YEAR
2020
STATUS
Planning
CLIENT
DKO
Architecture
LOCATION
Collingwood, AUS
SCALE
468m²
NLA
2,265m² commercial
40m² retail
DISCIPLINE
Commercial
EXPERTISE
Architecture
Photographer: Visualisation by DKO
Professionals used in
Down Street, Collingwood VIC
More projects from
DKO
About the
Professional
DKO is a multi-disciplinary, award-winning design practice centred on creating ingenious spaces that are driven by the needs of the user, site opportunities and the dynamic process of translating design intent into built outcomes. Founded in 2000 by Principal Koos de Keijzer, its operations have expanded from Melbourne to studios in Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City, and Brisbane. DKO has remained committed to the same underlying principles since day one. Its multiple teams spread across the Asia-Pacific region are solidly united behind the same grounded and humble approach taken to each project, big or small.
Keeping minds open to any possibility, DKO always focuses on finding the best idea, regardless of where it came from. By encouraging the personal growth of each individual within the organisation, DKO plans to become a globally oriented entity, consistently forging ahead in both business and creative objectives. DKO embraces the role of architecture in shaping a more sustainable future. As a practice, it never loses sight of the most fundamental quality that connects all great design – people. Through human understanding and nurture, DKO seeks to continually maximise its potential and deliver architecture at its utmost excellence.
- ArchiPro Member since2022
- Follow
- Locations
- More information