Challenge

A holistic and innovative design solution was required that worked within the budget and existing building constraints, and paid particular attention to the ground plane and podium to create a stronger connection to the newly evolved precinct, particularly the re-establishment of the buildings presence on the prominent corner of Berry and Denison Streets.

Insight

Encouraged by recent state and local authority planning changes, North Sydney CBD is undergoing a resurgence in development, particularly the commercial and infrastructure sectors. 65 Berry Street sits at the heart of some of these major developments, such as the new Victoria Cross metro station and Ward Street precinct and presents an opportunity to revitalise the commercial offering. An invited design competition was held to explore its potential repositioning and was successfully awarded to Scott Carver

Solution

A unifying design element taking cues from the existing buildings strong horizontal banding was proposed around the podium, with the main Berry Street and Denison Street entrances enhanced. A similarly horizontally themed crown was proposed to cap the building and bookend the tower component of the development. The existing banding on the tower was proposed to be re-clad to create hierarchy and rhythm. Façade articulation was achieved through the addition of louvre banding and a softening of all corners and nodal points.