Image Credit : Brett Boardman
Project Overview
With this project we have sought to create a transformative space; a space of transition between the city street and interior workplace that through form light and material can uplift and inspire.
It is an organic architecture assembled from a series of folded aluminium diamonds that wrap the exiting building and the street into a new interlocking space. The distinctions between sculptural artwork and architectural elements of colonnade, awning and facade are blurred to create a new dynamic identity.
The distinction between the street and lobby are also blurred and connected through the folding diamond surfaces. These gently curving planes reflect both natural daylight and warm integrated lighting with each diamond of brushed aluminium is unique in its profile and dimensions, creating an ever-changing tone to the interior of the lobby and exterior public domain.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Lead Architect: fjmt
Johnathan Redman, Iain Blampied, Daniel Karamaneas, Pray Mathur, Eric Lee, Rob Asher
Consultants:
Structural Engineers - Taylor Thomson Whitting
Steensen Varming
Lighting - Steensen Varming
Mechanical - Steensen Varming
Electrical - Steensen Varming
Hydraulics -Arup
Project Manager - Icon Project Management - Brett James
Contractor - Lipman Pty Ltd
Project Brief
The project brief was to upgrade the lobby of the commercial tower, which was built in 1988 and heavily influenced by American 1930s art deco style. Located in the heart of Sydney, the design was to capture the imagination and reflect the brand of a forward thinking client who is moving to the premises, while incorporating contemporary design and finishes that complement the style of the building. With its high ceilings, the lobby was to open up to the street to create seamless relationship to the urban context. In addition, the brief encompassed improving pedestrian connections to Town Hall Station, upgrading external amenities to a childcare centre and developing additional retail opportunities that engage with the public domain.
Project Innovation/Need
Reinterpreting the typical Sydney Street awning, to one that is more dynamic and responsive to the street with a contemporary and contextual take on art deco is new to Sydney. The awning creates an architectural feature at one of the busiest intersections for both foot-traffic and commuters in Sydney, and opens the lobby to the street creating a seamless relationship to its urban context. The new lobby space is woven between the existing columns of the building, with its fluid curves defined by the feature soffit that is textured with a geometric surface and creates an abstract array of different shades. Reflecting both natural daylight and warm light, each diamond of brushed aluminium is unique in its depth and size creating an ever-changing veil to the interior of the lobby and public domain.
Design Challenge
Working in a prominent and geometrically challenging site demanded a creative response to reinvigorate the space, creating a seamless relationship between the public domain, commercial lobby and integrating our clients branding into the design. Working closely with subcontractors, the complex form required a systematic approach which was essential to achieve the design vision, as each diamond-shaped panel was unique. The development of a 3D model that communicated information from design through to fabrication assisted with the overall design and construction of the awning.
Sustainability
Reinvigorating the existing building is a significant sustainability achievement, by providing new life to a dated building with minimal impact to it’s existing functions and services.
Architecture - Commercial - Constructed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow.
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