A 53-storey office tower designed by Woods Bagot and New York practice Shop Architects is set to transform the skyline of central Sydney, with a development application submitted to council.
The firms’ “soaring but seductive” design for the $1.5 billion tower at 55 Pitt Street was selected through a design competition early in the year.
Should it be approved, the tower will deliver around 70,000 square metres of office space, along with retail uses at ground level.
The site is part of the block bounded by Alfred, Pitt, Dalley and George streets known as the APDG Block, a key centre for financial, professional and business services in Sydney.
In planning documents, the architects describe how the design was inspired by “the natural landscape of stone, water, and the lush plants that surrounds Sydney cove.”
55 Pitt Street by Woods Bagot and SHoP Architects.
Large sandstone blocks, bronze coloured metal, and the use of water and lush planting at the ground level work to connect the building to Country, while also grounding the tower in heritage context.
“The sandstone blocks will have an aged look and quality connecting back to the nearby laneways of Sydney CBD as well representing the sandstone base that the building is located on,” the architectural design report notes.
A key feature of the ground plane and the public domain interface is the so-called “Cove,” an open but protected sanctuary at the north east corner where Pitt Street meets Underwood Street.
The colour and solidity of the sandstone base is carried up the tower though the solid panelling to one side. Elsewhere, a dynamic operable facade will maximize natural ventilation and support biophilia.
55 Pitt Street by Woods Bagot and SHoP Architects.
“…windows respond to the Sydney climate through a network of sensors in real time, bringing fresh air into the space as desired when conditions are optimal and providing a continuously modulated connection to the outdoors.”
Atop the tower a rooftop garden will offer space for events and town hall style meetings, along with more intimate spaces, with views to the east, west and south of the city.
The development will require the demolition of three existing commercial buildings ranging from 10 to 13 storeys, while the adjacent Telstra Exchange and Ausgrid Substation buildings will be upgraded as part of the project.
The development application is on public exhibit until 29 July.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
