Project Features
Completed in 2022
Size
75 sq m increase in GFA
Project Value
$10,000,000
Project Team
Aspect Architects, Kehoe Myers, Diametrics, DMA Engineers, Certifiers, Mackenzie Group, Stephanie Keays - Heritage Architect
Overview
Originally founded around 1900, the Rowes Building had existed for more than 100 years and spread throughout the various buildings across all three levels.
The redevelopment plans rearranged the building’s gross floor area, reducing it by 65sqm. This led to the furniture store being condensed to the ground floor while converting the upper levels to a professional office space to allow for a range suites of varying sizes along with communal kitchen facilities and alfresco Google room with a lounge, dining & BBQ facilities.
Challenges
A lot of planning went into minimising the impact on the business while keeping the public safe during the refurbishment works.
Extensive removal of damaged and dangerous products included the removal of live termites, fire damage, out-of-date termite treatment, and blue arsenic. Asbestos was throughout the building which required it to be removed correctly and safely out of hours.
On the Western Level 1 walkway, we connected two levels from the main building to the existing building on the corner of Keefe and Victoria Streets.
Because the walls of the Keefe Street building were not square or parallel to each other, we had to undertake high-level digital scanning of each building to complete the structural steel drafting.
Innovations
We introduced some innovations to enhance the safety to the construction process and achieve a quality outcome.
Some of the innovations introduced include:
Suspended toilet pod.
Reused reclaimed timber floorboards.
Substitution of timber LVLs to steel framing.
Wagon wheel refurbishment and lighting.
Solar panels and rainwater harvesting.
Recreation of existing signage using digital technology.
Conclusion
We’re proud to have been involved with this challenging project and to see the Rowe Family’s dreams come to fruition over the past three years.
The Rowes precinct is certain to attract a range of clients to fill the tenancies and contribute to revitalising the Toowoomba CBD.
