Devised as part of a HDR masterplanned triumvirate of buildings that forms the M&A development, 825 Ann Street in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane brought together a working population, residential tower and a retail podium ground plane devised around a new laneway.

The building is defined by two moves: at the podium level — the exploration of Fortitude Valley’s changing nature with a split personality design of coloured and monochrome façade panels; and above the towers — an external sunshade strategy which creates a strong connection between the internal and external environments through a second skin shading device that allows the glass to be more transparent in all orientations. This connects workers to the external environment with changes in light conditions, cloud and atmosphere — a key human need and something that is lacking in many workplaces.