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TILT is a Sydney based industrial design firm that operates specifically in the realm of the built environment, with both local and international architects to achieve operable solutions that create more functional design outcomes and solve problems.
Managing Director of TILT, Tim Phillips, has pioneered within the
operable and custom architecture spaces in Australia and continues to push the boundaries around how our buildings are expected to function.
Tim and the team from TILT are responsible for the revolutionary heliostat technology of One Central Park in Sydney, named the World’s Best Tall Building in 2014. TILT has also collaborated with top developers including Frasers Property, and architects BVN, Techne and more recently, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer on the Sydney Opera House.
The Urban Developer
recently sat down with Tim to discuss the inspiration behind his passion, his outlook to the future, the opportunities within the operable architecture space and its value for developers.
TP:
The opportunity to deliver functional and visually-beautiful concepts, often at a large scale, attracted me to working within the built environment.
An Industrial Designer often facilitates the creative concepts of others – the opportunity to collaborate with architects and artists is more attractive to me than working with product manufacturers. We form creative teams and the outcomes are very much design focused.
Traditionally, Industrial Designers develop relatively small-scale products for mass production that have a long path to market. These products regularly encounter commercial barriers that prohibit the full development or commercial success of the idea. Whilst there can be very long project timeframes in the built environment, there is essentially a 100 percent strike rate for completion once a contract is undertaken. This completion rate is very satisfying for me and often the results are realised in months, not years.
TP:
Versatility in the designed space. Architecture that transforms a building’s function to make it a more usable and engaging place. Designs that satisfy a greater number of people for differing reasons.
Many spaces are inherently underutilised because they have a very specific design and purpose – I believe spaces should be multi-functional and adaptable.
There needs to be a stronger link between form and function without one being compromised for the other. Through clever selection of materials and manufacturing processes, we can achieve designs beyond the reach of traditional construction methodology.
TP:
Most buildings are static elements – they remain largely subservient to ever changing environmental conditions. Operable architecture will enable more responsive buildings that harness climatic conditions and morph their form, to remain optimal in both comfort and function. Creating opportunities through design to harness environmental elements will ultimately make the built environment more liveable.
TP:
The property industry needs to be more broadly flexible and technically advanced to cater for the needs of millennials. This generation has a greater expectation of the usability of objects and products, in spaces for both work and play, and buildings in general. The built environment needs to facilitate the changing work styles and social demands of this group.
TP:
Whilst I’m not largely philosophical, I strongly believe that my professional approach is based on the skill of balancing all of the necessary design criteria. There are always trade-offs in design, but this process of balance shouldn’t be seen as a weakening of the object. It makes the design better suited to the overall brief considering all technical, commercial and aesthetic factors.
TP:
“Form follows function” – that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union. Frank Lloyd Wright was an early influence for me as he represents the opportunity for product design and architecture to complement each other and he greatly reduced the divide between the two disciplines.
One Central Park (Ateliers Jean Nouvel and PTW Architects), heliostat systemWhilst the solar contribution delivered by the heliostat system at One Central Park was not necessary in order for council to approve the east tower height, the additional light provided to the podium area was acknowledged by council as a positive during the planning stage.
According to Phillips, increasingly, developers will need to consider designs that are adaptable, blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, and create urban places that minimise the heat island effect and contribute to public activity.
He adds, an important objective is to control a building’s micro-climate with strategies such as maximising ventilation, while managing solar access and minimising overshadowing. These micro-climate control strategies are reflected in the Building Code of Australia as well as both state and local government policy.
Here, Tim shares four ways developers can use design to respond to policy pressures, by mitigating overshadowing, working cleverly within height restrictions, and creating architectural features that set projects apart.
Overshadowing concerns are becoming an increasing issue for city councils and developers.
Implementing a heliostat system can address these concerns. Using this technology to mitigate overshadowing can result in increased tower heights, increased yield and smoother approvals processes.
Heliostats are also very effective in providing solar supplementation where access to sun throughout the day is considered valuable, such as retail precincts, beer gardens, cafes and public space.
Building tall is only becoming more relevant, particularly in our progressively dense urban centres.
Maximising building heights whilst increasing ventilation and solar access can be achieved by introducing skylights on a development.
Our team has recently designed automated skylights and hatches that open up opportunities for roof terraces to become seamless extensions of the home, and for new (often spectacular) vistas to be unveiled and heights maximised.
The skylights respond to Australia’s temperate climate and provide easy access to comfortable outdoor living throughout the year. They also create an opportunity for tiered developments that don’t impact on neighbours’ views.
The skylights enable developers to differentiate their properties, add value to rooftop terraces, and secure their ROI, beyond the constraints of traditional construction methods.
With industry trends steering towards a rise in sector blur, it’s important for developers to consider design features that provide versatility for event spaces.
Operable elements can convert one space’s functionality and enable a venue to serve multiple functions. In the instance of retractable roofs, a venue can optimise capacity in all weather conditions. The roof can adjust to seasonal variations ensuring the venue experience is comfortable and enticing for users.
With operable facades, a venue can manage environmental effects such as solar glare with infinite adjustability. The opportunity to manage glare without compromising on scenic views ensures a venue is maximising the investment in the location without compromising the comfort of patrons.
Bunurong – Operable Façade by TILT, architecture by BVNUsing design to draw attention to your project
Design differentiation can be considered commercially valuable particularly from an architectural perspective. The opportunity to include remarkable architectural features, beyond what is traditionally available, is valuable when developing a new commercial venue or residential property for sale.
Custom architectural facade design by TILT, Architecture by FJMT
