Stokes 14 embraces the essence of the modest industrial buildings in the surrounding precinct through its aesthetic, functionality, economy and innovation. Visually, this is most apparent in the composition of the façade created from humble, durable materials such as brick, galvanised sheeting and steel-framed windows.
Structurally, Stokes 14 embraces the economy of industrial buildings with precast concrete beams, spindly steel columns and structural brick roof vaults. Environmentally, the naturally lit and ventilated studio collects its own water, generates its own power, and recycles almost all waste, creating a carbon neutral building.
Expand ContentThe sawtooth roofs, delicate trusses and intact façades were maintained throughout along with 80% of the existing warehouse footprint. The offices on the western street frontage, however, were rebuilt to achieve current day compliance. The newly constructed elements used similar methods to the original construction such as brick façades, expressed concrete structures and steel framed windows, however, these have been expressed and detailed in a contemporary manner.
Long clerestory windows enable light to play a starring role in the single workspace, divided by five linear desks for each specialist team. Freestanding joinery units double as pin boards on all four sides, and elevated shelves between desks allow for a collection of study models. The spaces behind these “pin board cabinets” house four essential functions of the studio: the materials library, model workshop, canteen and reception foyer.
The building is energy-positive, with 260 roof mounted photovoltaic panels, as well as materials selected for their embodied energy, reuse opportunities and general sustainability. Efficient fixtures and building automation allowed us to make our studio without air conditioning, opting for openable windows, ceiling fans plus radiant underfloor heating and cooling to create a healthy, comfortable studio.
Over the new workspace is a 33-metre-long apartment running the length of the building. Made from four self-supporting brick catenary vaults, each is offset from the other to allow light into the apartment. Inspired by how light bleeds between forest trees, this structure explores how light can seep through the cracks and skim across a surface. With little outlook in this industrial area, the architecture, created by stacked bricks and gradations of light, focuses on the interior, while gaps and windows frame views of the sky and street trees.
Apart from galvanised roof sheeting that runs over the stack of unmortared bricks and a thin layer of concrete, there is no structure other than the single row of bricks themselves. All other elements within the apartment such as flooring, fenestration, lighting and joinery are simple and recessive. Most of the furniture and many fixtures and fittings have been custom built for the space in a complementary industrial style.
2021 Winner AIA National Emil Sodersten Award Commercial Architecture
2021 Winner AIA National Harry Seidler Award Interior Architecture
2021 Winner AIA National Award Sustainable Architecture
2021 Winner AIA NSW The Sir Arthur G Stephenson Award Commercial Architecture
2021 Winner AIA NSW The Milo Dunphy Award Sustainable Architecture
2021 Winner AIA NSW Award Interior Architecture
2021 Winner WAF Inside Category Small Workplace
2021 Winner Think Brick Horbury Hunt Award Commercial
2021 Winner UDIA NSW Crown Group Awards Excellence Sustainability and Environmental Technology
2021 Winner UDIA NSW Crown Group Awards Excellence Urban Renewal/ Adaptive Reuse
2021 Winner World of Interiors Studios, Coworking, Home Office
2021 Winner Design Anthology Sustainability
2021 Winner Sustainability Awards Best Adaptive Reuse
2021 Winner Architecture Masterprize Commercial Architecture
2021 Winner Australian Interior Design Award Workplace Interiors
2021 Winner Australian Interior Design Award Best of Sate Commercial Design
2021 Winner Inde Award The Design Studio
2021 Winner Inde Award The Work Space
2021 Honourable Mention Inde Award The Building
2021 Winner Architizer A+Awards Office – Low Rise (1-4 Floors)
2021 Winner Architizer A+Awards Office Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.)
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