Light, yet strong and dimensionally accurate, the façades of the Latrobe Valley GovHub were made from TRUECORE® steel.

Project Goal:

• The architectural expression of Morwell’s industrial history was realised with the design and prefabrication of 18 ‘façade modules’.

Key Benefits Delivered:

Peter Blythe, Managing Director of Dynamic Steel Framing, highlights these benefits by using LGS for this project:

• Design Versatility: The façade modules made from TRUECORE® steel had an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, which allowed the scale and design intent of this project to be delivered. Precisely engineered, the frames managed the stresses of the crane lift without distortion, ensuring the integrity of the cladding material.

• Straight and True: Prefabrication off-site enabled better precision during assembly and dimensional accuracy meant minimal adjustment was required to the module frames during installation.

• Efficient to Install: The lightweight façade modules made from TRUECORE® steel were efficient to work with and install. With prefabrication of the façade modules, the ability to manage safety and the construction timeline improved.

Summary:

With the aim of creating job opportunities in regional areas, the Victorian Government committed $266 million to a project to build three government department office hubs, referred to as ‘GovHubs’. This office building, located in Morwell in the Latrobe Valley, was the first such GovHub.

WMK Architecture Director and Lead Architect on this project, Steve Tillinger says, “We always knew the design would be different from a traditional office building. The inspiration for the building’s unique roof and protruding façade shapes came from seeing a remnant of an old bucket wheel dredge, during a visit to the Morwell Power Station.”

Throughout Morwell’s rich industrial past, these bucket wheel dredges were a common feature seen in the region for generations². “They are quite an impressive piece of machinery. The bucket wheel dredge remnant resonated with me, for its significance to Morwell’s industrial past, and for its potential to be transformed into architectural expression,” elaborates Tillinger. This idea evolved into the distinctive volumetric shape of the external façades and saw-tooth styled roofing.

With the design concept finalised, Castlerock Property then focused on the significant challenge of delivering the project with minimal disruption to the local community. Castlerock Property identified that light gauge steel was the best way to build the 18 façade modules to be fixed to the exterior of the building.

Industry Cladding and Roofing (ICR) – the façade cladding fabricator – was appointed and worked with Dynamic Steel Frame (DSF) in the design and construction of these huge modules.

To achieve greater efficiency on-site, prefabricated modules were transported to the site in four pieces, fully assembled and clad on the ground, and then craned and secured into their final position.

Utilising approximately three kilometres of TRUECORE® steel and weighing close to 7.2 tonnes once the external cladding was installed, the light yet strong framing managed the stress of the crane lift without distortion, which could have resulted in the cladding material being damaged.

Adam Bronts, Director – Business Development at Castlerock Property says he was impressed by the assembly of the façade modules. “The accuracy of the design, and the manufacturing of the façade modules was vitally important,” says Bronts. “By using prefabricated light gauge steel framing, we were able to obtain the quality of the build, while minimising disruption and safety issues on-site.” 

He adds, “The dimensional accuracy of frames made from TRUECORE® steel ensured that the modules clipped into position on the first attempt without requiring any adjustment.”

Architect, Steve Tillinger closely watched the construction of the building and couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome. “This was a fusion of art and science coming together. We always knew the inherent benefits of lightweight steel, but its use in this project has really changed our perception of what it can actually do.”

Project Details:

• Project: Latrobe Valley GovHub
• Location: Morwell, VIC
• Client: Victorian Government
• Architect: WMK Architecture
• Principal Steel Products:
  • Façade modules: TRUECORE® steel
• Builder: Castlerock Property
• Façade Cladding Fabricator: Industry Cladding and Roofing (ICR)
• Steel Fabricator: Dynamic Steel Frame

1. www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/victorian-govhubs/latrobe-valley-govhub
2. www.themandarin.com.au/112895-designs-released-for-govhub-that-will-house-200-new-public-sector-jobs
3. www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/victorian-govhubs/latrobe-valley-govhub
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