Santos Place

Santos Place at 400 George St captured my interest when I first walked through it a few months ago. It's the amazing high rise with the iridescent golden rainbow looking glass, which is all part of the very high energy rating that the building has.

The building is flanked by the law courts and sits between Tank and Turbot Streets. It also has a little hidden lane way on the ground level that links these 2 streets.

As a first timer through the North Quay lane it was like discovering a hidden design treasure. The lane way is home to Tank restaurant and also a little coffee shop. Both of these are very popular with the workers at this end of town.

The building features spotted gum timber, Qld Chilligo Marble, Orazio Gold Marble and Porphyry stone, which was commonly used in the early suburbs of Brisbane as it was quarried locally. The experience of walking through invokes visions of Frank Lloyd Wright with the lineal elements combined with the stone.

The building and restaurant were designed by acclaimed Brisbane firm Donavan Hill Architects. Even the fire sprinklers, which often pose a stumbling block in the design process have been given first class treatment. They have been featured and almost look like artwork they way they have been encased with the glass access doors. Often as designers we have to consider how to treat the sprinkler doors and look at ways to work them into the design but still meet all the building regulations for visibility and access.

The lane way contains some very eye catching artwork.

As I arrived out into Tank St I noticed more interesting urban art with this massive forest image printed onto glass and pinned off the building facade across the road.

If you have not been through this lane way, it's worth the few minutes detour when you are next down this end of town.