Howard Street

Surrounded by single level houses, multi-storey apartment buildings, retail, showrooms and warehouses, the Howard Street project reflects
the diverse mix of building types and layers of history in Richmond.

The project was an opportunity for JAM to design a speculative boutique commercial office building. This would not only provide a new office space for the practice but would also demonstrate how spatially efficient commercial space could be achieved on small urban allotments.

The folded form of the roofline follows the undulating heights of Howard Streets eclectic buildings. A sheer façade of glazing suggests a lightness and transparency, and the use of varying translucency maintains privacy within the tenancies. Bluestone cladding is used extensively, a material that’s considered local and inherent to Melbourne’s architecture, past and present.

Key to the design was the mandatory provision of 25 car spaces. Given the small site footprint and that a basement was not feasible, a rotating car stacking system was utilized, allowing open floor spaces above.

“The project was an opportunity for JAM to design a speculative boutique commercial office building.”
Project Details
Year2012
ClientJAM Architects
LocationRichmond
StatusCompleted
BuilderElement Five
DetailsCommercial Office Building