The Avion, South Melbourne

245-251 Normanby Road, South Melbourne

Architect

Sector

The Avion is a modern and striking mixed-use development. Rising 40 storeys high, it features a sleek and contemporary design that blends seamlessly with its urban surroundings.

The building offers 445 apartments plus a range of commercial spaces, including offices, retail units, and potentially other amenities.

The Avion building stands as a symbol of modernity and innovation, offering businesses a prestigious address and a dynamic environment to thrive in.

Challenges

With a towering 40-storey structure, the project required extensive analysis to ensure the tower’s lateral stability and serviceability under wind and earthquake forces. Rigorous studies were conducted, including multiple wind tunnel tests, to assess different shapes and stiffnesses for optimal performance.

Given the building’s location on Coode Island sand, known for its poor load-bearing capacity, the foundation design posed significant challenges. Deep piles, exceeding 40 meters in length, were necessary to support all the columns and core walls, ensuring the structural integrity of the entire building.

The immense forces exerted on the structural members presented additional complexities in design and detailing. The project demanded meticulous attention to detail to ensure the components could withstand and distribute these forces effectively, maintaining the building’s overall stability and safety.