Designed by BlightRayner, Jubilee Place is a 14-storey commercial development in Fortitude Valley, an area on the fringe of Brisbane’s CBD which, though not traditionally associated with development of this type, has recently begun a process of regeneration.

“In order to attract the interest of commercial tenants, the building and its architecture had to offer points of difference from other nearby office precincts,” says Jayson Blight, Director of BlightRayner.

“The first such point of difference is the diagrid structure…a solution to the structural challenge of a wide road tunnel that runs diagonally under the site. The structure transfers loads to straddle the tunnel, simultaneously forming an architectural expression imparting identity.”

The second point of difference involves the Jubilee Hotel, a heritage listed pub that stands bedside the new development. As Blight explains, in exchange for permission to allow the office building to cantilever partly above the pub, the architects gave the old watering hole a make-over and transformed it into one of the city’s most popular night spots.

Striking from the outside, and creating the appearance of a sort of exoskeleton, the building’s unique structure also means the offices above are virtually column-free. In addition, it is not only passers-by who get to see the distinctive external structure. It is visible from inside too.

Ambience Roller Blinds

As Project Architect, BlightRayner’s Christopher Lewis explains, maintaining this internal visibility was a conscious choice. The architects wanted those inside to be aware of this design feature.

“In terms of blinds, our selection was based around providing a stark contrast, but also a transparent look in order to maintain visibility of the structural diagrid,” says Lewis.

Having previously worked with Verosol, BlightRayner was happy to do so again. “Verosol made many samples available to us, which eased the selection process. We were able to efficiently present appropriate products to the client,” he says.

Installed by Verosol’s commercial partner TurnerArc, the products chosen by the client for the 14 levels of office space, a mix of 500 Manual and Motorised Ambience Roller blinds in the 123 Earth Screen and Verosol 737 Veropaque blockout fabrics, fit the brief perfectly.

Installed along with curved integrated blind boxes, which align nicely with the curved corner of the façade, the blinds present as not just functional but right on trend. Installed according to specification, with either chain operated or motorised uni-joint operation, they meet the needs of the various tennants perfectly.

The beauty of employing two fabrics – one semi-transparent and the other a blockout material – in this way is that it ensures the best of both worlds. Specified in the 9000 – Black colour, the 123 Earth Screen allows for vision out. Then the 737 Veropaque blockout, in 8500 – Charcoal Black can be employed as needed.

Versatile and reliable, the Ambience blinds can be relied upon to meet the shading needs of individual employees (or groups of employees) every time.

“The selected blinds gave the contrast and aesthetic we were seeking, whilst providing the desired functionality for the tenants. The blinds enable the visual connectivity with the structural diagrid to be maintained, which is an important facet of the architectural expression,” says Lewis.

A genuine success for BlightRayner and a welcome addition to the Fortitude Valley precinct, Jubilee Place has received numerous honours, including the ‘Commercial Architecture Award’ at the 2023 AIA Queensland Architecture Awards; and the ‘People’s Choice Award’ at the 2023 AIA Greater Brisbane Regional Architecture Awards (for Jubilee Place Precinct).

Now fully operational, Jubilee Place’s tenants include Thomson Adsett, BESIX Watpac, Spaces, Schneider Electric and Robert Bird Group. Thanks to Verosol, the employees of these organisations can experience the building and all its architectural delights, even as they work.

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