AXLE | BUILDING 1, SOUTH EVELEIGH

Mirvac’s transformation of South Eveleigh in Sydney from a heritage industrial site to a state-of-the-art Australian Technology Park has led to its positioning as a vibrant and desirable lifestyle destination, within which Axle, Building 1 at South Eveleigh, has been positioned as a dynamic place to work, play and visit. The development has also achieved a coveted 6-Star Green Star Design and As Built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

The space, which has brought flexible working and environmental sustainability to Sydney’s South, has also been awarded a 5 Star +40% NABERS Energy in Design rating and a 4 Star NABERS Water in Operation rating.

Designed by Australian architects FJMT, the building is home to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia; a building distinctly unlike a traditional bank. 

The architecture emphasises open spaces and natural materials, with a glass-covered atrium flooding the building with natural light, according to Richard Francis Jones, director of FJMT.

“The new campus building ‘Axle’ is an advanced sustainable and collaborative workplace environment conceived like a miniature city, offering variation, vitality and choice in a refined and deeply human architecture,” he said.

The building’s seven-floor facade meant smart automated technology and energy efficiency were of utmost priority during the design process. A total of 604 Sonesse 40 motors were used in the project; selected as the motor of choice for its superior performance and quiet operation. Accompanied by 176 KNX 4AC Motor Controllers, the Somfy KNX Blind Control System works seamlessly with the sensor station positioned on the roof to automatically control window coverings.

Jason Turner, Director of installation specialist TurnerArc, confirmed the centrality of Somfy solutions and expertise to the scheme’s success. 

“Somfy provided an integrated control system fully automated into the building’s BCS to maximise the natural light and shading into the workplace via solar tracking, external sun sensors and 3D modelling of adjacent buildings,” said Turner. “The blinds are also able to be manually operated via grouped wall mount switches located on the columns around the perimeter of the facade.”

TurnerArc collaborated with Hunter Douglas on the 1,900 Sonesse powered roller blinds. The blinds used Ecoplanet Fabric, manufactured from recycled plastic bottles, to assist in meeting all the Green Star requirements for the project. Somfy provided support at every stage of the process, with its Projects team and Somfy Electrical Services team installing and commissioning the blind control system.

Somfy’s KNX 4AC Motor Controller provides position feedback for each individual motor output during movement and when reaching top- and bottom-end position. The system allows for the connection of different motor types to a single control hub. Its advanced operating mode means greater user comfort through local disabling of non-security commands as soon as local operation is designed.

The Sonesse range of quiet motors is recognised throughout the industry for meeting the needs of even the most high-performance project. Somfy Sonesse motors are available to suit all interior shading applications. Quiet, adaptable and intuitive, Sonesse motors are designed for all types of projects from commercial to residential, including new builds and renovations.

Project Details:

Location: Eveleigh, Sydney

Building type: Commercial office 

Building size: 42,469m²

Architect: FJMT

Builder: Mirvac

Somfy Solutions: 604 Sonesse 40 6/20 motors, 176 Somfy KNX 4AC Motor Controllers, 588 Smoove Wall Mounted Controls, Somfy Sensor Station and Somfy Master Control

Manufacturer: Hunter Douglas

Installer: TurnerArc

Certification: 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built, 5 Star +40% NABERS Energy in Design, 4 Star NABERS Water in Operation

Commissioning: Somfy Electrical Services