Project - Eclipse Tower Parramatta
Housing premium tenants such as Deloitte’s, Servcorp, NSW Fair Trading, QBE and Landcom, the Eclipse Tower at Parramatta is regarded as an iconic, uniquely designed landmark building and at 89 metres, is the tallest building in the Parramatta locality.
The design solution for the site has resulted in a simple geometric form generated from a pure half ellipse which, due to its shape, allows a widening towards the northern end of the floor plate to capture views and light and draw them in, while a contraction towards the southern end means the core tucks neatly into the curvature of the ellipse.
The result is described as a highly efficient floor plate set in a modern side core configuration, which provides tenants with complete flexibility in the use of space.
TOSO Australia managing director Malcolm Young confirms that, to match the overall high quality fit-out for this building, Mytec, a premium Japanese blind system was chosen over the standard roller blind systems common to most commercial developments, because of its longer guarantee, faster gearing and lightness in operation. The TOSO Mytec chain operated roller blind was installed on all 19 levels of the building.
“With a standard blind more force has to be used to raise and lower the blind, but with the TOSO Mytec’s spring assist, which is standard on every blind, even a child or an elderly person can raise and lower the blind just using their fingertips,” says Young. “It also has the advantage of being able to be raised and lowered faster due to its gearing and therefore up to 70 per cent more quickly than a standard blind; if you pull the chain one metre, it goes up or down 1.7 metres.”
“With the fast gearing, it is possible to have the chain end 1600mm above the floor for an average height person, and therefore there’s no need for a safety tensioning device, which in certain applications can be hard to fit or can detract from the appearance of the blind, though for this project full length chain was used.”
“The profile for the top roller pipe is extruded in Australia for better quality control, with 42mm pipe, having a wall thickness 1.5mm and the 46mm pipe being 3mm, so as to minimise any deflection in the blind.”
Helioscreen general manager David Thomas says the project brief presented an interesting challenge.
“For the Eclipse building to become host to a selection of premium tenants, the architect was keen to ensure the window furnishings were of a quality level that would appeal to the tenant profile. The spring assisted TOSO system was selected in conjunction with the Absolute Screen Platinum Charcoal fabric. The two per cent openness of the fabric along with its charcoal colouring and metallised backing was chosen to reduce glare whilst limiting solar heat gain.
The fabric is also 100 per cent PVC free and Fire retardant to the Highest European standard. With all TOSO blinds coming standard with spring assist, this ensures that though the size of blinds in the project may vary, each blind requires the same minimal effort to be raised or lowered.”
The installation of a total of 1700 premium quality roller blinds has clearly met the brief, both in terms of design and functionality. Eclipse Tower has achieved a 5 Star Green Star Office Design v2 rating and a 5 Star Green Star (as built) v2 rating by the Green Building Council of Australia. The development has also achieved a 5 Star NABERS Energy rating.
In July 2013, Eclipse Tower was also awarded “Best Commercial Development” at the Urban Taskforce 2013 Development Excellence Awards, presented by the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir.
The development also received a Commendation at the 2013 UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence in the Commercial and Retail category.
PROJECT DETAILS:
Project Name: Eclipse Tower
Address: 60 Station Street, Parramatta NSW
Developer: Leighton Properties and Grosvenor Australia
Architect: Fitzpatrick + Partners
Site Area: 3,203 square metres
Total net leasable area: 25,660 square metres
Project Scope: A total of 1770 blinds installed over a period of six months