Urbanest’s latest student housing project Darling Square 1 + 2 (see newsletter header image) is bringing premium student accommodation into Sydney’s vibrant heart. The first of two new residential towers has just been completed. Positioned at the southern gateway to the new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition, and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) in Haymarket, the buildings will operate as one integrated facility, linked by a bridge at the first floor. Together they will provide over 1300 student beds along with resident facilities such as dining hall, study areas, lounges, gym, movie room and a roof terrace on level 21 of Darling Square 1.
“Together with Urbanest and Buildcorp, AJ+C is creating the next benchmark of student accommodation, with the convenience of being in the heart of the city combined with the comforts of home. The buildings create an enriched living and learning environment through vertical neighbourhoods, featuring social areas and integrated study spaces,” said Project Architect, Brian Mariotti.
The project is part of the Darling Harbour Live initiative which will breathe new life into Sydney’s most renowned precinct, creating a world-leading hub for living, meeting and entertainment. The revitalisation will see significant upgrading of the area’s exhibition, convention and entertainment centres, as well as construction of a new residential, commercial and cultural precinct in Haymarket.
Moore Theological College’s Learning and Teaching Centre is the latest in a series of successful collaborations between the College and AJ+C.
Located at a prominent site on the southern edge of Sydney University, AJ+C created a landmark building using innovative design and technology to appropriately house Australia’s premier collection of books and other resources for the study of religion.
From the street, first impressions are of a striking double-height sandstone plinth, respectfully referencing the predominantly two-storey landscape of King Street, vertically punctuated for light and views and to reduce the building’s mass.
Above this, the structure rises as a lighter built form - a curtain wall composed of glass, metal cladding and aluminium for maximum transparency, views and light. Separating both is a deep recess line, creating a clear architectural feature both articulating the building and further reducing its mass.
In collaboration with Geyer, interior spaces offer students and teachers more choice in how to create optimum learning outcomes, and bring together a range of pedagogies from highly focussed to social gatherings and chaplaincy environments. A two-storey light-filled atrium floods the expansive ground, lower ground, and main library level with light, providing a transparent, open invitation to the campus itself. This has become a gathering point for shared study and a popular dwelling area within the Library environment for students and academics alike.
“The Centre embraces new world benchmarks in teaching and learning that have brought about a shift towards activity-based group learning, enabled by technology and facilitated by dynamic teaching methods,” says Project Architect, Mark Louw.
V by Crown Group brings to Parramatta a well-conceived residential building that balances comfort and luxury. The 28 floors soar dramatically above an 1800m2 retail podium and house a diverse mix of 514 apartments and 72 serviced apartments, cleverly positioned to optimise light and space.
The building, designed by AJ+C with interior concepts by Koichi Takada Architects, creates a world class statement in luxury liveability and lifestyle.
Foundations of four 1790’s convict huts that were discovered at the northern edge of the site have been preserved and are now a feature at the foot of the building. The stunning structure rises above two V shaped columns, ensuring that key elements of Parramatta’s historical and cultural past are retained and celebrated below. AJ+C worked closely with engineers to ensure that 28 floors of building could be supported on just four columns which sit among the heritage items without disturbing them.
The residential amenities include an external swimming pool, gymnasium, library, media rooms and a conference centre. The development also provides 560 car parking spaces. Anticipated sale price points for an average apartment in the development will be $650k.
The retail podium is intersected by an arcade which, along with the conservation centre, adds vibrancy and vitality to the streetscape. The permeability of the ground floor and the design of the exterior serve to integrate the building into its local surroundings.
Western Sydney University (WSU) is continuing to grow its presence in the national and international academic community and has delivered benchmark teaching facilities for specialist disciplines within the Schools of Humanities and Communications Arts, and Computing Engineering and Mathematics.
The new AJ+C designed facilities at the Parramatta Campus replace existing closed, cellular classrooms and traditional lecture spaces with flexible teaching spaces, dedicated studios and laboratories and collaborative workspaces, forming an accessible and articulated streetscape. “The result is a dynamic and appealing setting for learning, research and exhibition which reinforces WSU’s progressive approach to education.” says Project Architect, Scott Norton
