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Harley Davidson Australia, Photo, HQ, Design, Lane Cove River Business Park
Harley Davidson Australian headquarters : Architecture
Australian Building by Tony Owen NDM Architects, Sydney
NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON, AUSTRALIA
Tony Owen NDM Architects
Location: near Sydney
Sydney Architects Tony Owen NDM have designed the new Australian headquarters
Harley Davidson. The building is located in Lane Cove and forms an
iconic gateway to the new Lane Cove River business park.
We sought to design a building that reflects the uniqueness of Harley
Davidson. HD is not simply a brand, for many it is an entire lifestyle
and attitude. HD has a unique philosophy; it is at once about the
expression of function and beauty through pure design, but it is also
about freedom; the freedom of self expression and the freedom of the
open road. We could relate to this image, it is about good design,
but also about challenging the norm. We decided to design a building
that expressed this freedom and speed.
For design inspiration we looked to the bikes themselves; their emotion
and efficiency. The geometry of the engines forks and frames can be
seen in the lines of the building. The building does not copy them,
however, it suggests this movement and style. Rather than use the
shape literally, we sought to express the elegance and aerodynamics
of this movement in the lines of the building.
The brief for the building was a strong reflection of the Harley Davidson
culture. We gave as much emphasis to the gymnasium and break-out areas
as the office and storage space. We designed the building to reflect
this. We located of all of the recreational and break-out areas near
the entry. You enter into a central mezzanine. From there you can
see all of the areas that reflect the Harley lifestyle; the showroom,
cafe, library, even the Gym. You are immediately aware of what Harley
Davidson is all about. We designed the building so that, from the
entry, you can also look down into the technical workshops and training
areas. In this way you get a sense of the technical aspects of the
company. It was important not to lose sight of the grungy side of
the motor cycles as well.
We utilised 3-D modelling software in the earliest stages of the design.
The office is increasingly using 3-D modelling and parametric tools
both in the generation of formal solutions and in the development
and construction of complex geometries.
For Harley we experimented with different geometries to understand
the spatial possibilities of our ideas and also how the forces working
on the site influenced these movements. Later we worked with the engineers
to model every component of the main space. Because the geometry is
complex, it was important to know how the structure interacted with
the metal cladding. By modelling every element of structure and façade
we knew exactly how each piece related to another in space. This technology
makes building a structure such as this quite straight forward and
much easier than it might have been in the past.
The facility contains administrative offices, technical training and
storage facilities for the iconic motorcycle company. The landmark
building will form the striking centrepiece for a new high-tech business
park on the Lane Cove River, currently being developed by Demian Developments
Pty Ltd.
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Harley Davidson Australia
HQ Architects : Tony Owen NDM
Australian Architect Offices
Australian Houses
Sydney Architecture
Sydney building - Info on architect
Jorn Utzon

World Architecture : e-architect
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Comments / photos for the Harley Davidson Australian HQ page welcome:info@e-architect.co.uk
Harley Davidson Australian headquarters : page
- adrian welch / isabelle lomholt |
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