koichi takada architects completes ‘arc’, the latest mixed-use residential tower in sydney’s CBD. the project won the city of sydney design excellence competition in 2013 and spans the width of a whole city block in the historic precinct in the center of the city. the building combines old and new, a handcrafted brick podium and an organic roof feature designed to add character to the area.

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney

public artwork connects the ground floor to the streetscape, image © martin siegner

 

 

the 26-storey tower is a mix of accommodation, containing 135 apartments, 86 ‘skye suites’ boutique hotel rooms, 8 retail and f&b outlets. the design by the architect also includes a retail precinct below an 8-storey high public through site link, reactivating the historic skittle lane. the concept relates to the historical context of the site.

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney

artisan bricklayers individually placed more than 300,000 bricks on the façade to create the timeless yet modern look, image © tom ferguson

 

 

the architect carefully studied the proportions of the arches and materiality used historically in sydney. the design has a heavy masonry character at the base, whereas the tower above has finer, lighter materiality. inspired by the masonry component in the significant heritage buildings next door, and drawing from their characteristic arches, a duality is introduced to the façade and represented by the varied aesthetics of the podium and tower. 

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney

the crafted brickwork highlights the delicate heritage context, image © martin siegner

 

 

‘arc’ explores an opportunity to open up the rooftop. the design celebrate the great outdoor lifestyle that sydney is famous for, and the first high-rise residential design to break the mould. an organic crown feature instantly distinguishes arc from the surrounding context, a curved roof form that celebrates how the tower meets the sky. the rooftop opens up a new dialogue with what is possible in the future of the city, activating not only the ground plane but also the sky-plane. when you come up to the arc rooftop, you can see the sydney harbour as a backdrop to the city view. 

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney

image © tom ferguson

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney

image © tom ferguson

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney
photo © martin siegner

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney

photo © martin siegner

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney
photo © tom ferguson

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney
the through-site link of arc, image © martin siegner

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney
the atrium brings natural light into the ground floor and facilitates natural ventilation throughout the podium apartments, image © tom ferguson

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney

the project explores an opportunity to open up the rooftop, image © tom ferguson

koichi takada architects uses over 300,000 bricks to create 'arc' façade in sydney
image © tom ferguson

 

 

UPDATE: this project has been shortlisted in the ‘completed buildings – mixed use’ category at the 2019 world architecture festival.

 

 

project info:

 

project name: ‘arc’ by crown group

project location: sydney, australia

architect: koichi takada architects

images: tom ferguson, martin siegner

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom