Bridging art and science, Premier Tower is an exemplar of structural dispersion, frequency oscillation and wind mitigation.
It emerges as a fluid, oscillating structure, reinvigorating Melbourne’s west end precinct and creating a visual counterpoint to the city skyline. The dynamic, continually evolving form has captured public imagination and invited comparisons to anything from a stretched stocking to Beyonce’s Ghost music video.
Beyond its recognisable form, Premier Tower was the subject of a series of wind tests and parametric modelling undertaken with wind and structural engineers. The architecture mitigates harsh wind conditions by efficiently balancing weight distribution across the base and adding a bulbous volume two thirds of the way up. Functioning as a web, the rounded corners and undulating shape navigate and usher wind through at intermittent points.
Innovative use of a heat rejection system upends the assumption that glass structures are inefficient. As the northern face draws natural heat from the sun, the service design shifts it to the south allowing heating and cooling to be continuously shared between the sides of the building.
Incorporating residential apartments, Mövenpick Hotel and retail space, Premier Tower has also been designed with a long-term view to urban design as a self-sustaining development.
