Approval has been granted to the $141 million Bates Smart-designed commercial tower slated for Sydney’s Green Square neighbourhood after a development application was submitted in 2021.
To be known as “Fulcrum”, the building will be the first site on Green Square’s Botany Road stretch to be redeveloped, initiating the next phase of the neighbourhood renewal. The development is set to transform one of Sydney’s oldest industrial hubs into a revitalized urban neighbourhood, forecast to welcome more than 30,000 new residents by 2030.
Bates Smart design a City of Sydney Design Excellence competition for its contemporary interpretation of the industrial sawtooth roof form back in 2021. The jury unanimously selected the scheme for the way it successfully broke up the building mass and introduced variety, stating it provided the best response and was capable of achieving design excellence.
“The scheme reflected an interesting built form, particularly due to the splayed rooftop and height,” the jury said.
The design consists of two terracotta-coloured buildings that are interconnected by a timber “heart” – a centralised core made of cross laminated timber, creating a source of natural ventilation. According to the developer, the building’s colour, form and materiality pays homage to the area’s past as an industrial heartland.
The developer said Fulcrum will be a purpose-built commercial facility for a post-Covid work environment, specifically designed to foster strong organisational culture. The 16-storey tower will comprise 25,000 square metres of leasable area, with flexible floor plates to appeal to a range of tenants.
The project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Source: Architecture - architectureau