October_1967 — Page 11

HARRY SEIDLER & ASSOCIATES

CIVIL & CIVIC PTY. LTD.

architects

engineering design and builders

PROFESSOR PIER LUIGI NERVI (ROME)

structural consultant

COSENTI ASSOCIATES (NEW YORK)

mechanical consultants

EDISON PRICE INC. (NEW YORK)

lighting

Far East Architect & Builder October, 1967

T

E bulk of any new development in Sydney is determined by the size of the allotment, floor space within a building being limited to 12 times the site area. In most cases this results in a 12-storey building.

For the Australia Square Project an entire city block was brought un- der one ownership and instead of covering this 60,000 sq. ft. area with a uniform development, the oppor- tunity was taken to treat it as a scheme of urban renewal, providing more light and a freer pedestrian cir- culation.

Thus the site, bounded by George. Bond, Pitt and Little George Streets, contains only two structures. A 13- storey block facing Pitt Street was built first, prior to total site amal- gamation, and later the balance of the allowable floor space was accom- modated in a 50-storey, 560 ft. high tower, covering only 25 per cent, of the site area.

Through an arcaded ground floor design of the building, virtually the entire site becomes open public space, interrupted only by the build- ing entrances, lift lobbies and stairs. This newly gained openness in the

busiest part of the city is developed as plaza areas open to the sky on two levels,

The lower plaza, level with Pitt Street, opens under the "gathered" column design of the Plaza Building which becomes a kind of portico to the open space. The area extends into a circular shopping arcade under the upper plaza which surrounds the entrance lobby of the main tower structure.

Free access from all sides allows for easy pedestrian circulation, but the plaza design provides areas for rest and recreation also by means of curved screen walls defining spaces for outdoor eating and a "pro- grammed" fountain. Trees, outdoor seating and a huge, four-storey high, sculpture to be erected on the upper plaza, adjacent to the George Street entry, will complete a truly urban atmosphere.

Below the plazas and the shopping arcade is a three-storey parking garage accommodating more than 400 cars which enter down a wide ramp from Bond Street. All goods deliveries to the project are from the first lower ground floor, which has

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