525 George Street

A series of Blade walls along Albion Lane. Set on a 3.8m grid that co-ordinates with the tower structure and hotel room grid, these blade walls define a tight grain of use along the laneway, create a distinct colonnade effect when viewed obliquely – as the laneway is typically perceived, and instigate a more intimate rhythm of spaces within the interior lobby.

A linear core that frees up the podium footprint, allowing a generous spatial experience for the hotel and cinema lobby and tower, while also providing the required blank wall screening to the neighbouring 505 development.

A terraced lobby inspired by the lost theatricality of cinema architecture, intertwining the cinema and hotel programs as a distinct characteristic of the podium experience.

A gridded lattice forms the primary expression of the tower, which contain a hotel, apartments and a rooftop garden. The lattice provides a deep shading overhang above and to the side of the glazing line, reducing heat load on the façade.In contrast to the universality of the lattice, a series of transparent mesh curtains sit within the grid to provide a more localised layer of performance for the façade.

The tower façade is formed by two main elements, a gridded lattice and transparent mesh curtain.

A gridded lattice forms the primary expression of the tower, common to all elevations. Projecting 400mm beyond the façade glazing, it provides a deep shading overhang above and to the side of the glazing line, reducing heat load on the façade. Incorporated into the glazing panel is a ventilation system as part of the Passivehaus design of the tower programs. The proposed pre-cast is a sandblasted, exposed aggregate finish creating a stone like character.

A series of curtains of transparent mesh within the grid provide a more localised layer of performance for the façade, varied according to specific heat load requirements, privacy, or extent of outlook characteristic of each grid bay.