Alphington Business Incubation Hub
A thoughtfully designed entrepreneurial environment which facilitates all the “startup business” requirements for accelerating, servicing and succeeding.
Client :
Not for Profit
Location:
Alphington Victoria, Australia
Date start:
2021
Date end:
2022
Scale:
Medium
Sector:
Commercial
Services:
Design, Plan, 3D Modelling
The Brief
Create a staged master plan and building concept for a Business Incubation Hub at Alphington. Provide a solid concept and clear direction to present to key agencies such as local and state government, as part of applications for funding and investment.
The Challenges
Master plan
Existing conditions (sub-precincts).
Opportunities & constraints (built form).
Key physical assets, such as the main 4880m2 incubation building & Alphington Academy.
Landscaping with accessibility.
Walkways, local & commercial traffic circulation & parking for the overall site.
Preserving the history & industrial heritage of the site. Historic floor plans & information were collated into the master plan.
Directions identified for improvement
Renovating the main incubation building & other spaces into flexible shared facilities for work & engagement.
Creating better flow throughout the site with a focus on the user experience.
Defining pedestrian & heavy vehicle access to major infrastructure, with prioritised parking areas.
Making use of the landscaping as a regenerative system for community & economic purposes.
Establishing an ordered, tidy & clear site.
Other considerations
Increasing sunlight in buildings.
Minimising or maintaining site erosion.
Opportunities for an energy storage facility.
Opportunities for a water capturing system.
Establishing access points.
Transparency & sensitivity due to multiple startups in tenancies onsite.
Interviewing current tenants to gain feedback on the current usage of the site & potential future uses.
Maintaining an on-site presence for the duration of the project to gain a good understanding of the project needs to deliver a grounded outcome.
Business Incubation Building
Renovating two (2) 2440m2 sheds into facilities to cater for startup business, advanced manufacturing, job creation & mentorship, networking & engagement, sustainability & economic recovery.
Undertaking a physical asset analysis.
Providing elevations, sub-precincts & collage studies.
Completing a detailed concept for the main incubation building - meeting rooms, offices, co-working spaces, labs, specialised manufacturing spaces, shared kitchens, large spaces for events, informal lounges & café.
Surrounding landscape area to strengthen the existing culture of connection & skill swapping between tenants.
Utilising the existing steel façade & exposing the internal structure to preserve the industrial character.
Providing a green wall.
Maximising sunlight & surrounding views.
Removing asbestos.
The Outcomes
The production of a series of informed and thoughtfully designed plans and a master plan that addressed all the project’s needs.
Drone captured aerial video and photography of the three (3) hectare site were completed within half a day. This laid the foundation for a series of infographic presentations demonstrating the master plan, staging, and site context. Other drone generated products provided included a digital elevation map, 3D reality model, plant health heat map and contours.
A series of documents for the Business Incubation Building including detailed floor plans, an accommodation analysis, architectural renders, a building program, a five (5) year staged projection plan, interior design recommendations (materials, surfaces and finishes), and a rectification strategy.
An additional infographic presentation was produced, and the 3D model served as the foundation for an interactive environment showcasing the Business Incubation Building concept.
