Record number of commercial buildings to open their doors for Sydney Open 2019

“We’ve been going now for 22 years and this is the biggest selection of commercial buildings we’ve ever had, and for a few reasons,” said Joni Taylor, coordinator of the architecture and design program at Sydney Living Museums, which runs the Sydney Open.

“It’s partly a reflection of how interesting some of the buildings that are being designed now are, and also of the rising public interest in them.

“Last year, many of the office buildings were really popular, whether the visitors really liked heritage and historical buildings or the brand new spaces. And, of course, lots of people like to stickybeak at how other people work!”

Many of the buildings’ owners and tenants also love the chance to showcase their messages that are often embodied in their physical surrounds, and an increasing number every year apply to be part of the program.

One of Ms Taylor’s favourite projects in this year’s schedule, to be open on Sunday, is George Place, the Fender Katsalidis-designed “urban room” or smart new lobby that combines those of three neighbouring towers all owned by ISPT, at 245 and 262 George Street, and 24 York Street.

“And the architects will be there on the day, too, to talk about the project and answer questions,” Ms Taylor said. “There are also a lot of installations there, and an exhibition of artworks.”

Fender Katsalidis director Rob Mirams, the lead architect on George Place, says he is thrilled at the opportunity to show the space to a wider audience.

“The Sydney Open curates great pieces of architecture and great places and historical buildings, and to be included in that paradigm is an honour,” he said. “The building owners, ISPT, are very excited too.

“This is a commercial precinct and while it’s open to the public, so many don’t come in because they don’t necessarily feel they’re there to engage with it. But this is a chance to come and look at the space which has become a meeting place, a hub between three separate buildings and formed a brand new community as a result.”

The area, located at Martin Place and part of the precinct undergoing major renewal with the advent of the new light rail system, has a lofty sculptural coffered timber ceiling, textured stone walls, integrated artworks and dynamic lighting. The furniture has been designed specifically for the space, which also includes a cafe, meeting and working areas, and a wellness centre.

The success of the foyer amalgamation is already spurring two more similar projects in North Sydney, being prepared to go to DA stage. They follow on from another landmark one in Brisbane, the Midtown Centre, combining the atriums of two buildings, as well as infilling between the actual structures.

“We like the opportunity of challenging sites and like to come up with good solutions,” said Mr Mirams. “George Place has created an urban room with so much positive energy that everyone can absorb and get excited about in the place of what was once a windswept, hostile, cold, glare-y site that people rushed through.”

Another of the highlights of the Sydney Open this year, according to Ms Taylor, is a ticketed focus tour of Dexus’s 35-level 100 Mount Street on the Saturday.

“It’s so new, they’re still taking the plastic off the windows!” she said. “The tour will have a member of the architect firm Architectus there too, to talk about the building and its smart technology.”

It’s an event that Rachel Blackburn, Dexus’ property manager at the building, is looking forward to. “It’s exciting as it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the building and link into the wider community,” she said.

“We believe this building will play an important role in helping reinvigorate North Sydney and while people can come into the lobby on a day-to-day basis and see the artworks, at Sydney Open we’re opening a lot more of the building for them to see.”

The tour will examine the lobby, with its cafe, soon-to-open restaurant and the rotating digital artwork by local photographer Tamara Dean on display on the giant screen. Visitors will then go up to the floor of anchor tenant Laing O’Rourke to see the fit-out – and views – on level 21.

There’ll also be the chance to see and discuss the technology used in the building, including the point-grab sensors, which effectively manage the flow of people to certain areas, and “morpho wave” technology, which allows access on a hand scan.

“We also have features like a smart technology blind system that’s run by a weather system on the roof, which measures the sunshine and activates the blinds,” Ms Blackburn said. “But the building as a whole is an important development for us and for the wider community, so it’s an honour to welcome people in.”

The other commercial building highlights of the program are Allens at Deutsche Bank Place, by Foster + Partners with Australian firm HASSELL, the 1924 Bushells Building in the Rocks, with the HAVAS offices open to the public, Lendlease at Tower Three International Towers Sydney, in Barangaroo, and Steensen Varming at 9 Castlereagh Street, by Harry Seidler.