Danish-based architect 3XN announced that it has won the commission to design Quay Quarter Tower at 50 Bridge Street, a 200-meter mixed-use high-rise near the city's iconic Opera House.
The project represents the first major project designed by a Danish architect in Sydney since Jørn Utzon designed the landmark Opera House in 1973.
The tower comprises a series of shifting glass volumes stacked upon each other. By dividing the building into five separate volumes and placing atria throughout each volume, the spaces become smaller, more intimate social environments, encouraging building occupants to connect and interact.
Rather than face directly into the adjacent building at 33 Alfred Street, the lower levels of the tower are angled west to capture the energy and movement from the surrounding neighborhood. As the building rises, the northern façade shifts to the east enhancing the views.
Rotating the tower also creates a collection of exterior terraces that are directly linked to the multi-level interior atria, which will contain shared amenity spaces for tenants in each block. These common amenity spaces provide stunning views both vertically and horizontally and bring daylight deep into workspaces while promoting collaboration and interaction.
“This project looks at the high rise in an entirely new way, from both the inside out and outside in,” said Kim Herforth Nielsen, Founding Partner and Creative Director of 3XN. “Its dynamic, shifted massing maximizes views for all of the building’s users while also creating expansive open spaces that encourage the possibility for interaction, knowledge sharing and vertical connectivity.”
The firm teamed with Arup to design the building for developer AMP Capital.
Related Stories
| Jan 16, 2015
Artsy lifeguard stations will brighten Toronto’s snowy beach
Five winning designs have been unveiled for lifeguard stands that will double as public space art installations on Toronto's beach.
| Jan 16, 2015
New York City construction costs continue to climb
A study released by the New York Building Congress shows that construction costs in Manhattan have risen 5% in each of the last two years.
| Jan 15, 2015
A reconstructed Taliesin West is the largest Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Model [slideshow]
Artist Adam Reed Tucker used 180,000 LEGO pieces and 420 hours of work to recreate Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West campus.
| Jan 15, 2015
Construction materials prices fall in November
Construction input prices dipped 1.4% during the final month of 2014 and are down nearly 1% on a year-over-year basis, according to the Jan. 15 producer price index release from the U.S. Department of Labor.
| Jan 15, 2015
Libeskind unveils 'zig zag' plan for recreational center near Vilnius ski area
Perched on the highest peak between Vilnius' historic quarter and downtown, the Vilnius Beacon will be a hub for visiting skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
| Jan 15, 2015
Illustrations capture essence of Aalto, Ando, Hadid, Foster, and other famous architects [slideshow]
The illustrations are Federico Babina's abstract interpretations of the styles of famous architects, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Bjarke Ingels.
| Jan 14, 2015
10 change management practices that can ease workplace moves
No matter the level of complexity, workplace change can be a challenge for your client's employees. VOA's Angie Lee breaks down the process of moving offices as efficiently as possible, from creating a "change team" to hosting hard-hat tours.
| Jan 13, 2015
Steven Holl unveils design for $450 million redevelopment of Houston's Museum of Fine Arts
Holl designed the campus’ north side to be a pedestrian-centered cultural hub on a lively landscape with ample underground parking.
| Jan 12, 2015
23 projects win AIA's highest architecture award
Bjarke Ingels' Danish Maritime Museum and William Rawn's Cambridge Public Library are among the winning projects.
| Jan 9, 2015
Santiago Calatrava talks with BBC about St. Nicholas Church on Ground Zero
Calatrava reveals that he wanted to retain the “tiny home” feel of the original church building that was destroyed with the twin towers on 9/11.