Argall

Women’s Housing Limited #1

Women’s Housing Limited (WHL) is a not for profit organisation that provides low costs housing to women at risk of homelessness or experience housing stress including women who are forced to leave their home because of family violence. This is a multi residential development consisting in five storey concrete building that forms part of the WHL array of houses serving the Victorian community. This project features 51 apartments with outdoor terraces, common areas and protected underground carpark.
The building structure is constituted by a concrete frame with insitu concrete lift and stair cores providing lateral stability against wind and earthquake forces. All floors are post tensioned concrete slabs. This resulted in thinner slabs that achieved weight and material reduction, therefore cost saving and reduced carbon footprint. A steel frame roof and cold-form lightweight framing ensured a quick and economical result while achieving the architectural intent without compromises.

Architect:

Year:

Construction Budget:

Challenges:

Clarke Hopkins Clarke
2021
$17m
The design stage has been very efficient thanks to our partner CHC architects with whom we had a productive and efficient coordination since the beginning. Few challenges developed on site due to unexpected rock layer formation and preferred construction methods proposed by the builder (Maben). Despite the challenges, with all the Maben crew we had a very efficient and proactive coordination throughout the whole construction phase. This reinforces Argall belief that the difference between a good and an excellent outcome lies in the team working attitude of the entire group of professionals involved.

Architect:

Clarke Hopkins Clarke

Year:

2021

Construction Budget:

$17m

Challenges:

The design stage has been very efficient thanks to our partner CHC architects with whom we had a productive and efficient coordination since the beginning. Few challenges developed on site due to unexpected rock layer formation and preferred construction methods proposed by the builder (Maben). Despite the challenges, with all the Maben crew we had a very efficient and proactive coordination throughout the whole construction phase. This reinforces Argall belief that the difference between a good and an excellent outcome lies in the team working attitude of the entire group of professionals involved.

ANDREW GALL, Director

Argall was founded in 2017 by Andrew Gall, an engineer with a passion for complex design and breaking the mould. His work experience as a senior structural engineer across a variety of project disciplines made him realise there was a real need for a bespoke people and service-oriented structural engineering consultancy that would inspire sustainability practices and innovation often lacking in big companies.

This is over and above his experience in traditional procurement roles, his work with builders in the design and construct field, managing projects in sport, tertiary education, the arts and zoological fields, as well as community, commercial, residential and multi- residential enterprises. With such a wealth of knowledge and understanding of different design methodologies, he has the expertise to challenge the status quo in his new venture.