Overall view of the Melbourne Central Cone. The original design of the Railway station, Shopping centre and Office building were designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa for the Diamaru Department Store, it was then refurbished in 2005 by Ashton Raggatt McDougall after the department store closed in 2002. In now houses a 5 levels of retail, food, bars, and a cinema and entertainment complex, whilst retaining the historic Shot Tower in its centre.
The above image shows an interesting contrast between the historic Shot Tower, built from brick and the modern cone above, constructed of steel and glass. The cone protects and preserves the tower, whilst providing and huge amount of light into such a large space. Although the cone lacks intricacy, such as with the Fed Square Atrium, it still provides practicality and a spectacular sight (when anyone bothers to look up.)
Using a 300mm zoom lense i managed to capture an image of an intrinsic and complex connection that cannot be seen even from the highest level of the building as the top level provides for a closed level occupied by a fitness centre. The various steel elements can be seen interlocking at a set of plates and bolted into the main structural element of the cone. This image provided me with an idea of the connections and engineering involved with the cone that from far appears to be a mundane shape. The construction methods in comparison to the brick tower, which was built in the late 1880's, are an immense progression.
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