Looking Down (4)

Looking south west over Darling Harbour from one of the upper floors of the brand spanking new Westpac Place. The white building in the centre is the National Maritime Museum.

Occupying a one-hectare block at the western edge of the CBD, Westpac Place is the new financial hub for Westpac, catering for a population of more than 5000. Johnson Pilton Walker were selected as architects through an invited design competition conducted under the Sydney City Council Design Excellence guidelines.

The fit-out of the large, flexible floor plates of the office levels of Westpac Place were jointly designed and developed through a collaboration between HASSELL and Geyer. The design concept applied the lessons of successful cities to the vertical community. An open internal stairway links 27 of the 32 floors, helping create a sense of connection and community. The floors are grouped into ‘quarters’ as in a city – a three-floor planning philosophy defines each specifically designed quarter and each has a range of facilities including cafes dispersed throughout.

Westpac Place has been designed to achieve best practice performance for energy, greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental initiatives.

Looking Down (3)

Looking over the Opera House and the Botanic Gardens to the harbour from level 28, Deutsche Bank Place. You may remember that this building also has an amazing lift well.

Looking Down (2)

Looking east from level 29 of Civic Tower (see yesterday's post).

Looking Down

Something different this week. Every two years the Historic Houses Trust holds Sydney Open which opens to the public city buildings of historic and architectural interest. Its a sticky beak's delight as you get to look at many places you either didn't know existed or would never have a chance to visit. This year's Sydney Open was held the Sunday before last and this week I am going to show you views of the city from some of the high rises I visited. Unfortunately it was a very overcast day, good for walking but no blue sky. I'll show you some interiors in coming weeks.
Looking south over Central Station towards Botany Bay and the airport from level 29 of Civic Tower above the Sydney Masonic Centre.

One of Sydney’s most uncompromising 1970s buildings, the Sydney Masonic Centre is a prime example of the ‘Brutalist’ style of architecture which is distinguished by off-form concrete in a range of finishes. Designed by Joseland Gilling, it was built as the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and the ACT of Ancient, Free and Accepted Freemasons.

When the Masonic Centre was completed in 1979 it was without the commercial office tower that was a major part of the original design. The recently completed Civic Tower completes this missing element in the same style as it was originally conceived. Developer and builder, Grocon, worked with the Sustainable Energy Development Authority to achieve an Australian building greenhouse rating of 4.5 stars. A marginal increase in the tower footprint was necessary to achieve a satisfactory core and services and a commercially viable floor plate design. The tower provides 24 levels of office space. A retail area on the ground floor includes a cafe surrounded by a glass wall at the building’s base.

Jacaranda time

Pretty City

Sky Watch Friday

One of the best places to see grey headed flying foxes is near the duck pond in the Botanical Gardens. You'll know when you are getting close by the smell. They stink, but are fascinating to watch.
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