2012 National Architecture Awards: Harry Seidler Award

1 Bligh Street by Architectus and Ingenhoven Architects Commercial Architecture: Harry Seidler Award Australian Institute of Architects

Jury citation

This distinguished high-rise commercial building comfortably fits into its urban context. It contributes to the quality of Sydney’s diverse skyline and acts as a new benchmark for quality and sustainability for this building type.

The elliptical form aligns with the city grid and is orientated towards the harbour, maximizing views and creating premium office space and a quality work environment. The reduced building footprint creates a significant new north-facing public space. A broad staircase rises to the sheltered wintergarden, which affords an ideal place to sit in the sun and overlook an extended Farrer Place.

The innovative floor plate, with atrium and glazed lifts, minimizes the enclosed core area, and maximizes views and natural lighting across a large and flexible floor area. A central atrium runs the full height of the building, enhancing workplace connectivity while introducing natural illumination and ventilation. The design of the roof space and location of a central plant are carefully considered and add to the quality spaces within.

The fully glazed double-skin facade is a major contributor to the building’s 6 Star Green Star rating. The facade system includes an inner skin of performance glass, automated venetian blinds and an outer skin of clear glass separated by a naturally ventilated, externally accessible cavity.

All aspects of this impressive commercial building have been carefully considered and meticulously and consistently crafted.

Credits

Project
1 Bligh Street
Architect
Architectus
Australia
Architect
Ingenhoven Architects Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, 40221, Germany
Consultants
Acoustics Arup
Artists James Angus, Barbara Flynn
ESD Cundall Australia
Engineer Enstruct Group
Facade DS Plan, ArupEnstruct Group
Hydraulic and fire services engineer Steve Paul & Partners
Landscape architect Sue Barnsley Design
Lighting design Tropp Lighting Design, Arup
Project manager APP Corporation
Public art coordinator Barbara Flynn, James Angus
Structural steel Enstruct GroupArup
Vertical transportation Norman Disney Young
Site Details
Location 1 Bligh Street,  Sydney,  NSW,  Australia
Project Details
Category Commercial

Source

Award

Published online: 2 Nov 2012
Words: National Architecture Awards Jury 2012
Images: Hans-Georg Esch

Issue

Architecture Australia, November 2012

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