77 Market Street, Sydney

Our architectural approach is derived from the specificity of place, seeking a singular form and character expressive of the uniqueness of the site and the relationship between the heritage and contemporary architecture. The site provides the opportunities for remarkable views and amenity positioned in the retail heart of the city. Our proposal responds to the project brief and vision; seamlessly integrating the multiple uses of a luxury retail precinct, a unique and innovative workplace and contemporary living while creating a landmark building combined with the adaptive reuse of a significant historic Sydney building. The proposed development comprises the construction of a 32-storey mixed-use development, including: • Repurposing existing vehicular access and basement levels for shared car parking and services. • Conservation, refurbishment and fit out of the existing 10-storey heritage building for retail and commercial office uses. • Construction of a 22-storey tower above the heritage item, comprising communal facilities and building plant at podium level and 101 residential apartments. Alterations and additions to the ground and first floor level frontages to facilitate greater activation and an improved pedestrian experience at the ground plane. The concept is based on a series of ideas and principles that embody the opportunities within an integrated and holistic vision. These explorations vary from the conceptual and architectural such as: in response to Sydney as a place, this unique site and the quality of timeless simplicity and value; through more specific responses to the heritage fabric and form; the streetscape and importance of entry; the retail prominence and significance; studies and options for apartment planning, mix, value optimisation; and finally detailed studies on the form and facade systems. With a building of such significance and value it is vital that the architecture is timeless. Accordingly we have have established five key conceptual principles that derive from the specific and special qualities of the place and context: • Integration and Dialectic • Suspension • Identity • Heritage • Materiality Integration and Dialect A single new form, composed in relation with the heritage produces a unity and clear architectural dialectic between new and old. Complexity, visual noise and disruption is avoided in a close dialectic of these two powerful elements, preserving the integrity and primacy to the heritage architecture at this important city corner. The dialectic of the heritage with the contemporary where the two exist independently but become inseparable, linked both physically and culturally and integral to the concepts of place, country and identity. Suspension The new architecture is conceived as a suspended object, floating in space as a light, suspended curvilinear object that both contrasts and compliments the heritage form below. Visually the new form appears to bear no load on the existing heritage it oats above, but opens it to light through a central atrium created through the spatial ripple of this suspended form. Identity The new suspended form, in dialect with the heritage, will give a strength and unity of specific urban identity to the multiple uses of shopping, workplace and residence. The new form is open, inclusive and ambiguous in identity and character. It’s honed curvilinear form is both primal and ancient, inspired by tools and baskets as well as responsive, technological and futuristic. A unifying warm horizontal grain of louvre creates a quiet and unified surface of shading and privacy. Heritage Facade We have tried to place ourselves in mind of Crawford Hutchinson Mackellar, remaking this great store in the same progressive ambition of Charles Lloyd Jones. Opening up the centre of store with a sense of curve and resolution, preserving the important continuous line of the aluminium ‘ripple’ awning but developing the two storey expression of entry and composition. And bringing the refinement, materiality simplicity and ‘slipstream’ form to a new composition in a suspended new addition. Materiality A gentle, quiet and refined suspended form will have a unity and warmth in material character that complements stone of the heritage. The nature of it’s suspension creates a series of green ripples in layers setback above the parapet of the heritage. Form and Geometry The tower geometry has been developed to create a form that is sympathetic to the curvilinear character of the heritage facade. Each corner is curved with varying radii with the largest radii on the corner of Market and Castlereagh Street. The long edge on Castlereagh Street and short edge on Market Street are also curved. The overall tower form adjusts vertically with the floor plate progressively reducing in size as the tower meets the top of the heritage podium and similarly towards the top of the tower in response to the Hyde Park solar access plane. The reduced form and curvilinear geometry at both the base and the top of the tower further assist with generating a form that is more gentle and less imposing along the street frontages of Market and Castlereagh Street. Massing and Integration The scale and massing of the tower has been carefully formed to not only respond to the detailed briefing requirements but also to create a tower form that responds to and reinforces the importance of the heritage building below. The tower is positioned above the new centrally located void within the heritage building. The void creates a cradle for the tower and a meeting and integration of the two where the tower form is visible through all levels of the heritage podium floors. Orientation & Urban Context The tower form is on a north/south axis with the long elevations facing east and west. The dominant elevation facing east, creates a strong visual connection to Hyde Park and beyond to Sydney Harbour. The west elevation has views down Market Street and toward Darling Harbour. Heritage Three key Heritage considerations have been carefully analysed to determine a design outcome that is generated from this analysis and is sympathetic but creates a new interpretation. This report outlines these three key considerations illustrating the process, analysis and identifying the design outcome of each.