Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223:front:0:p25
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 66890–69907

to pedestrian circulation in Martin Place.

The garden located between the east elevation and Macquarie Street was constructed as part of the 1962-64 stage of works.  The formal Australian-themed garden was designed by Melbourne landscape architect, Malcolm Munro, following a public competition.  The rockery and water feature were removed in the 1970s although the feature has been retained as a garden and re-planted in 2018 with drought-resistant species.

Figure 19 - View of the landscaped native garden  in c1968.
Source: State Library of Victoria, http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/gid/slv-pic-aab55666/1/a16464

4.2                Description of the Reserve Bank of Australia Head Offices

4.2.1            Structural system
The Reserve Bank of Australia Head Office building structure was constructed in two stages (Stage 1- 1962-63 and Stage 2 - 1972-76) using similar steel framed construction.  Stage 1 works incorporate welded joints providing rigidity and resistance to wind loads, while the Stage 2 steel column/beam connections are generally pinned connections[27].  Steel beams are set out on a structural grid of 7.62m.  Beams and columns are concrete encased with floors and basement walls of reinforced concrete, with additional reinforcement and security features incorporated into the walls of the basement strong rooms.  Documentary evidence indicated columns are founded on concrete pad footings bearing onto sandstone bedrock.

The upper level floors (above ground floor) are constructed of lightweight concrete[28] to reduce weight in the structure, and includes a series of long cantilevered beams located at Levels 1, 2 and 3.  The lift core, including passenger and goods lifts, fire stairs and lavatories are centrally located along the south wall, with floor space located to its east, north and west.

Stage 2 was constructed as an independent, self-supporting system, and does not rely on Stage 1 structure for vertical support, however the 1970s addition is reliant on the Stage 1 structure for the resistance of lateral loads.  Columns at the interface between Stage 1 and Stage 2 construction are paired to facilitate the transfer of lateral loads. Further lateral rigidity is provided by the masonry shear walls of the stair wells and lift cores. These walls act as bracing walls between adjacent floors. The lift cores and stair wells are located centrally within the building providing a favourable centre of gravity and rigidity for lateral and dynamic loads.
The lateral loads imposed at each level of the building are transferred into the shear walls and columns via the reinforced concrete floor slabs acting as a horizontal diaphragm.

4.2.2            Exterior
The RBA building was constructed with its main entrance located on the north elevation (main façade), originally addressing a tree-line street, Moore Street.  The Martin Place entrance has been retained as the principal pedestrian entrance.

The exterior of the building is read as four sections:
         