Italian Influence – Queen and Collins Tower by Studio 103
When thinking of Venice, its warm sunsets, soft movement across the glistening water and the ornately carved buildings along its canals come to mind. Queen and Collins Tower, albeit in the Melbourne CBD, draws on the period detailing of the Renaissance-style architecture it sits within.
The idea of journey and discovery – which so many are drawn to in Venice – and the use of warm pinks are shared across the pair of commercial tenancies. While each has their own individual charm and distinctive character, they are each born from a similar basis.
The mixing of contrasting elements – from complementary colours to natural finishes and polished surfaces – allows both buildings to become their own focus with greater impact. Normally, brick underfoot is reserved for an outdoor setting; in this case it has been brought inside, with a herringbone inlay pattern as a reminder of the building’s crafted Italianate origins. As such, the journey through space is divided into internal and alfresco areas, creating different levels of privacy and enclosure. Into these spaces rich teals, pinks, blues and burnt orange come together and prompt the feeling of being on an island surrounded by water (or in this case, by air) to create an interesting interpretation and response to heritage.
Taking cues from a place far away but nevertheless highly influential in the history of Melbourne’s architecture, Studio 103 imbues Queen and Collins Tower with a playful yet sophisticated ambience.
