Docklands 3008
National Australia Bank: 800 Bourke Street, Victoria Harbour. Docklands
One of the first commercial buildings completed in the Docklands precinct, construction of the headquarters for the National Australia Bank commenced in 2002 and the new building was opened in October 2004.1 The complex was widely attributed to popularising the “campus style” office building in Australia that became common in Docklands and other new developments. Designed by Bligh Voller Nield, it became a new global headquarters for the Australian Big Four bank in 2009. The building was a leader in sustainable architecture at the time, making the most of its north facing aspect with a four star energy rating, becoming the first awarded by the Green Building Council of Aurstralia.2
Posted in City of Melbourne, Docklands 3008, Mid-rise (5-13 storeys) | 
Tags: 19 storey, 2000s, 2004, 21st century, 4 star green rating, bank, bligh voller nield, bourke street docklands, bvn, campus style, docklands, james grose, modern, modern architecture, nab, national australia bank, office building | 
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Medibank House: 700 Collins Street, Docklands
Construction on Medibank House began in September 2002 and the 13 level modernist Docklands tower was completed in July 2004 with major tenant Medibank Private securing naming rights and the other major tenant being the Bureau of Meteorology.
The architects were Bligh Voller Nield working in conjunction with Peddle Thorp Walker. Construction companies Folkestone and Leighton Properties collaborated on the project which was valued at $78 million.1
Life.Lab: 198 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Life.lab is a mixed use eight storey building consisting of 91 offices and apartments designed around an internal atrium.
Construction began in late 2006 by Baulderstone Hornibrook 1 and it was completed in late 2008.2
Designed by architects Moull Murray3, it is inspired by the early 21st Century modern movement.
- 2009 entry – Australian Architecture Awards ↩
- Construction begins on Life.Lab this month. Digitalharbour.com.au ↩
- Life.Lab – The Building ↩
Port 1010: 1010 Latrobe Street. Digital Harbour, Docklands
This ground breaking office building set the standard for Dockland’s architectural avant garde.
The building was designed by Ashton Raggatt McDougall (ARM), known for their eccentric postmodern design and responsible for the original, but not executed masterplan for Docklands. By far its most striking feature is its use of the Café wall illusion on the south and east sides a geometrical-optical illusion in which the orange parallel straight dividing lines between staggered rows of alternating black and white “bricks” appear to be sloped.
Dock 5: 55 Victoria Harbour Promenade Docklands
Dock 5 is a north facing waterfront apartment building which was completed in December 2006. Part of the Victoria Harbour precinct of Docklands it was developed by Lend Lease at a cost of $130 million, the 31 level 92 metre reinforced concrete tower was desined by architect John Wardle and contains 148 apartments.1
- First Residents Move into Victoria Harbour’s Dock 5 – Docklands.com ↩
Swann House: 22-38 William Street, Melbourne