Tip Top Development

Centaur™ Range

 Client Problem:

ICON Constructions was tasked with redeveloping the historic Tip Top Bakery site into premium apartments known as the Tip Top Development. When it came to the open spaces, they wanted a variety of bicycle racks, seats and community areas which still paid homage to the site’s rich history.

Specifications:

Mark Jacques at OCULUS designed the outdoor furniture for the Tip Top Development, which we were tasked with manufacturing and installing on-site. The outdoor seating was designed to resemble bread loaves going through a slicer.

The design specified 90° bends in 20 mm thick steel plate to form the ends of the bench.

Contractors:

The head contractor on the project was ICON Constructions, Mark Jacques at OCULUS was the architect and Living Landscapes were responsible for the landscaping. We were appointed by Living Landscapes to manufacture and install Mark’s unique designs.

Challenges:

It was originally planned that the seating would be constructed from large slabs of timber, however, we didn’t want to run the risk of any movement as the timber dried. To prevent this, we used glue-laminated hardwood instead. This modification would prevent any potential for twisting and warping.

Design specifications required us to bend a 20mm thick steel plate to form the ends of the bench. To complete this stage, we partnered with a large steel fabrication firm in Melbourne. They were the only company with the equipment capacity required to fold steel of this thickness that met our specifications.

Result:

We were first contacted by Chris Brenchley at Living Landscapes in Hawthorn East who specialise in landscaping for large scale residential developments.

The furniture was manufactured in advance so that it would be ready for installation at a moments notice. The project was completed in 2015.

The result was an award-winning complex and outdoor space for the residents and local community.

Accolades include;

• Winner 2015 National UDIA Award for Excellence in Urban Renewal
• Winner 2014 Victorian UDIA Award for Excellence in Urban Renewal

The success of this project is a result of an entirely collaborative approach from all contractors involved.

For more information on this project, you can read out blog post here

For further details on this unique project, see our blog post here