Glass pyramid panels to bathe new-look Lantern in light

IT WILL be a front door with a difference. A large glass cube, which will look a little like a chandelier or a crystal decanter, is slowly emerging on the Collins Street extension into Docklands.

The Lantern, as it is called, will be the entry point to the southern half of the historic, 19th century Goods Shed, which is being restored by Walker Corporation as part of its $1.3 billion Collins Square project. It will complement the other northern half of the Goods Shed, which was restored and is owned by Lorenz Grollo's Equiset.

Walker Corporation chairman Lang Walker said he was determined to create a beautiful entry point to the Goods Shed, with the ultra-modern glass edifice contrasting nicely with the historic building.

The Lantern facade, which has been designed by Building Studio Architects, will feature more than 400 horizontal glass pyramids that will be built on the four sides of the 7500 square-metre building.

Architect Nick Sissons said the facade was conceived as a lit beacon, incorporating a series of glass panels fragmented to reflect and refract light. ''Inspiration was taken from cut glass decanters and lighthouse lens technology - designed to scatter and distribute light in all directions,'' he said.

Mr Sissons said each rectangular wall panel was divided into four triangulated elements that project forward to a pyramid form. ''Every facet will pick up and highlight a different piece of the sky or ground,'' responding to changing light conditions throughout the day or night.

The lantern will be raised on thin columns, allowing uninterrupted views from Collins Street into the roof trusses and heritage elements of the Goods Shed. The passenger lifts and the internal communications stairs are fully glazed and highly visible from inside and out.

The restoration of the Goods Shed is well under way and, according to Mr Walker, is likely to cost about $60 million. The shed traverses the eastern boundary of the Collins Square precinct. Basso Project Management and architects BVN are working closely with Walker Corp on the conversion. BVN also worked on the interior design of the northern shed.

As in the north, a mezzanine floor will be created. The high ceilings, clerestory windows, exposed trusses, brick work and cast-iron columns will be retained.

The original timber on the underside of the roof has been cleaned, while new slate is being brought from Wales. The floor will also be of timber.

The small tower and clock at the southern end fronting Flinders Street will also be restored.

''The clock will start ticking again,'' Mr Walker said.

Pearson Australia Group has already signed a 10-year lease on the building, and Walker Corporation has hired Colliers International to lease the 7500 square metres of office space in The Lantern and also the clock tower. The main leasing agent is Josh Langdon.

Mr Walker said he was aiming at attracting smaller users with smaller floor plates.

Collins Square, which Mr Walker regards as an extension of the CBD office precinct and not part of the ''campus-style'' Docklands, will cover 180,000 square metres of office space in five towers and 10,000 square metres of retail space. The Australian Taxation Office has already moved into the first 38,000-square-metre tower.

Another tower covering 40,000 square metres for Marsh Mercer is well under way, with completion expected in April. The three other office towers will be 30,000, 50,000 and 22,000 square metres, respectively. Leasing agents are Jones Lang LaSalle and Knight Frank.

Bates Smart has created a master plan for the project, which includes retail and landscaped public spaces that will be protected from Docklands' sometimes woolly weather. There will be intersecting lanes and large retail areas for shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and a gym. The retail master plan has been developed by the Buchan Group.