CHROFI with Kann Finch was selected through the City of Sydney Design Excellence Competition for this site in Sydney.
The site’s location in Glebe borders Wentworth Park and the harbour to the north, the fine-grained patterning of Glebe’s terrace housing subdivision to the west, and the larger footprint urban form of Ultimo to the east. Further, the city of Sydney’s Broadway and China Town districts are an easy walk whilst good views of the city’s CBD skyline are available from the site.
The design derives interest out of the convergence of these varying urban conditions with a strategy that is about the merging of the small scale of Glebe with the large scale of the park, nearby Ultimo and the city beyond. At the Wentworth Park frontage, the built form rises to ten storeys and follows the curvature of Wentworth Park Road to reinforce strongly the park edge. Presented as four tower forms hovering above a continuous 3 level podium, the park facade achieves a grand statement while at the same time, being composed of smaller scaled elements that enable the massing to transition down very quickly at the rear of the site. The resulting in-between spaces offer greater access to light, ventilation and views to both the apartments within the development as well as the buildings on the street block behind.
The colonnaded base and podium are built of recycled brickwork giving these street-level facades a material, texture and fine patterning that closely relates to the established surrounding. The towers are expressive of their concrete structure with custom matte white aluminium louvres and timber linings to the balcony spaces providing warmth and detail in the changing light throughout the day. The apartment interiors are restrained but warm in character allowing for individual interior expressions by the residents with a timeless colour palette.
Scope:
Design, DA, Interiors, Design Review during Documentation & Site Service
Team:
360 Degrees, MPN Group, Wood and Grieve, Mott MacDonald, Mecone, WT Partnership, Matt Shuter & Associates, Bitzios
Location:
Sydney, NSW
Visualisation:
ouragency
Status:
Built, 1st Place Design Excellence Competition
Photography: Simon Wood, Parkview Constructions, Clinton Weaver
Professionals used in
Mezzo Glebe
More projects from
CHROFI
About the
Professional
From practice beginnings with TKTS in Times Square New York in 2000, CHROFI has become renowned for designs that are inventive and responsive to particularities of locality, while meeting the client’s objectives and aspirations. Highlights from our two decades of history include the Maitland Riverlink Building that reconnects the town with its river; Lune de Sang that transforms a former dairy property to a sustainably harvested forest and retreat; Harbord Diggers Redevelopment that nestles a large club and housing development within a sensitive headland; The Goods Line that converts a former rail corridor into a new city destination; and the Ian Potter Conservatory Canberra that reinvents the performance and visitor experience of the traditional glasshouse.
We are one of the most awarded Australian practices of our generation. International recognition includes the New York Art Commission Award, 3 x World Architecture Festival Awards, 5 x Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Awards, and locally, the AIA Jørn Utzon Award, Sulman Medal, Walter Burley Griffin Award and the NSW Architecture Medallion. We are known for our integrated approach that delivers both private and public outcomes, enriching the life of cities. We are passionate about how the design of buildings and the public realm can shape and elevate the human experience. The firm’s work is frequently cited in media and government design guidelines, its design innovation taught through case studies at architecture schools around the world, and its buildings and places loved by clients and the community.
Central to the practice is the growing list of satisfied clients, who hire us for our ability to tackle complex project challenges and bring to life their vision. We work with public agencies, commercial organisations and private individuals across a broad range of project scales and typologies. From master planning and feasibility studies to tendering and construction, CHROFI provides a complete architectural service defined by a clear strategy, imaginative design, technical knowledge, and methodical project management. We make listening and design agility a priority so that our clients can be confident that their objectives will be delivered on time and within budget.
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