Project background

Hartree + Associates Architects purchased a vandalised, heritage-listed ruin that had been condemned from occupation. They saw potential.

Their strategy was to relocate the practice from Perth’s CBD to North Fremantle, enjoy the lifestyle and amenities of the area, and lease out five adjoining apartments for the long term.

Two key aspects shaped the development: acknowledging the heritage of the site and precinct, and utilising innovative, low-maintenance materials.

Feature cladding to the street-facing walls became a defining element of the design, needing to both respect Fremantle’s architectural language and project a bold, contemporary identity for the practice.

The need

To bring the office vision to life, Hartree + Associates required a cladding solution that could carry the story of the site, echoing Fremantle’s heritage of corrugated iron and galvanised finishes, while also signalling a forward-looking practice committed to innovation.

“The practice was looking to make a statement with its new office premises and wanted cladding that was innovative and fitted to a reasonably tight budget,” explained Adam Johnson-Kain, Architectural Manager - Design Solutions Group, Lysaght. 

The feature cladding had to be striking yet sympathetic, durable yet cost-effective, and above all, “something new and unique” that would distinguish the building in a precinct defined by its historic character.

“Corrugated iron cladding is a feature of North Fremantle’s historic character (and old portside workers' cottages),” said David Hartree, Managing Director, Hartree + Associates Architects. “We approached the Design Solution Group looking to create an innovative cladding symbolic of local architectural treatments and displaying cutting-edge material technology of our present time.”

Project execution

The answer came in LYSAGHT VERVFORM™ shaped from ZINCALUME® steel With a 50mm vertical triangular rib profile the sharp angular form offered scale and drama, while the choice of unpainted ZINCALUME® steel connected to Fremantle’s corrugated and galvanised heritage.

To support the design process, the team provided detailed technical drawings and physical samples so the practice could move forward with complete confidence in their material choice.

“The Design Solutions Group provided technical drawings of the profile as well as samples to ensure Hartree + Associates were confident in their design choice,” Adam noted.

“The team quickly understood our brief and our project pressures (quality/innovation/time/cost), responded with ideas and prepared samples displaying precise details - leading to LYSAGHT VERVFORM™ being specified as the primary element of the façade,” explained David.

Adam from the Design Solutions Group added:

“Unpainted ZINCALUME® steel material was chosen as there are a lot of heritage buildings in Fremantle where similar finishes have been used on newer builds to continue the same language as the surroundings. The new practice office is also situated close to trees and often the natural finish of the ZINCALUME® steel works well to compliment the existing flora close to sites.”

Outcome

Installation of the VERVFORM™ cladding proved straightforward. The finished façade successfully blends heritage sensitivity with a bold modern edge, becoming both a functional surface and an architectural statement.

Adam observed that it “provides a good scale and size with a mixed façade for this building, providing interest of light and shadow play across the angular ribs.”

The façade has also become a defining feature of the local streetscape, drawing attention for its sharp detail and dynamic play of light. As David described:

“VERVFORM™ is a talking point for the detail-conscious and a highlight of the streetscape, the sharp striations are enhanced by the morning and afternoon sun to display a dramatic graphic effect.”

For Hartree + Associates, the project represents a philosophy of building for both the present and the future.

“Hartree + Associates Architects are committed to delivering buildings for occupation today and into a future that is yet to be determined,” said David. To us, a successful project celebrates this current moment in time with aesthetics and technology, creating spaces that will enhance human occupation and activities for the long term.”

Learnings

Beyond its visual impact, the project also revealed some important lessons about process and product performance.

• Collaboration builds confidence: Early engagement, technical drawings and full-size samples gave the architect certainty that the material would deliver on both vision and performance.
   
• Innovation can honour heritage: VERVFORM™ showed how a contemporary cladding profile can reflect Fremantle’s corrugated and galvanised history while creating something distinctly modern.
   
• Simplicity matters on site: Even as a first-time application for the installer, VERVFORM™ proved straightforward to fit, reinforcing its practicality alongside its design impact.

Moving Forward

The Hartree + Associates office has become a showcase of what VERVFORM™ can achieve, blending heritage, innovation and practicality in one striking façade.

As Adam from the Design Solutions Group highlighted, the profile’s flexibility opens up broad creative potential:

“VERVFORM™ is available in a variety of heights and can be nominated by the designer.  Finishes are limitless with custom options, + the full and extended COLORBOND® steel Studio range which provides nearly 200 colour options!”

For Hartree + Associates, the project reflects an ongoing design philosophy that looks to the future while celebrating the present:

“Hartree + Associates Architects has developed a process where ideas evolve over time. Working with Lysaght on this project has opened the door to new possibilities, new themes and innovations….our weakness for modernism continues.”

Disclaimer: Interested in learning more about LYSAGHT VERVFORM™? This new profile is currently only available upon request. If you would like to learn more about its suitability for your next project, reach out to our Design Solutions Group.

CONTACT US