Arc / Koichi Takada Architects
Arc / Koichi Takada Architects
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Photo by: Tom Ferguson
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Photo by: Martin Mischkulnig
Description
Winner of the City of Sydney Design Excellence Competition in 2013, Arc represents an architectural statement that combines craftsmanship and texture to create a contemporary tower that respects the rich historical context of its surrounding urban fabric.
Photo by: Simon Wood
Photo by: Martin Mischkulnig
A pair of 26-storey towers with a distinctively arched roofscape becomes the latest mixed-use building to join Sydney’s celebrated skyline. The two slim towers rise from an 8-storey masonry podium inspired by the heritage buildings in the area. The 300,000 handcrafted bricks blend seamlessly within the delicate historic context creating a public through-site connection between Clarence and Kent Streets. The name, Skittle Lane, dates to the 1980s and draws its name from its past life as a bowling alley from sailors and soldiers. Above, 59 fins travel up the length of the building culminating in an organic crown feature, instantly distinguishing Arc from the rest of skyline, a curved roof form that celebrates how the tower meets the sky.
Photo by: Simon Wood
Concept
Photo by: Martin Siegner
Photo by: Martin Siegner
The concept relates to the historical context of the site. We 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 a finer, lighter materiality. Despite our expectation, we have been overwhelmed with positive messages about the use of traditional brickwork. People have responded to the warmth and use of traditional methods being brought back to a modern city centre where most buildings are glass and metal.
Photo by: Tom Ferguson
Inspired by the masonry component in the significant heritage buildings next door; The Red Cross Building and Andrew Bros Warehouse, and drawing from their characteristic arches, a duality is introduced to the façade and represented by the varied aesthetics of the podium and tower. Informed by the curvilinear nature of Sydney Harbour and the brickwork in neighbouring buildings, the materials and details have a level of intricacy and authenticity that relates strongly to Sydney’s past.
Photo by: Tom Ferguson
Photo by: Martin Mischkulnig
The majority of the city has flat-topped buildings everywhere. Arc explores an opportunity to open up the rooftop. We designed to celebrate the great outdoor lifestyle that Sydney is famous for, and the first high-rise residential design to break the mould.
Rooftop
Photo by: Martin Mischkulnig
We convinced the city and our clients that there is more value in using the roof for public amenity instead of private apartments – imagine a city where people can escape to the rooftop, where the architecture facilitates social interaction and the reimagining of the urban environment. 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 our future cities activating not only the ground plane but also the sky-plane.
Photo by: Tom Ferguson
Photo by: Tom Ferguson
When you come up to the Arc rooftop, you can see the Sydney Harbour as a backdrop to the city view. The curved roof arches connect you with the organic and undulating lines of Sydney Harbour and its best natural assets.
Extra Info
| Project: | Arc by Crown Group |
| Function: | Multi-Residential |
| Architecture and Interior design: | Koichi Takada Architects |
| Clients: | Crown Group |
| Location: | 161-165 Clarence Street & 304 Kent Street, Sydney, Australia |
| Status: | Completed in 2018 |
| Site area: | 1,447 m² |
| GFA: | 17,400 m² |
| FSR: | 12.02:1 |
| Height: | 80 m |
| No. of apartments: | 135 residentials, 86 serviced apartments, 221 totals |
| Range of apartment sizes: | 38m² - 150m² |
| No. of floors: | 26 above ground and 6 below ground |
| No. of Bricks: | 300,000 approx (279,680 bricks delivered to site) |
| No. of rooftop arches: | 59 |
| Consulting: | Van Der Meer Consulting |
| Builder: | Hutchinson Builders |
Awards
Gold Winner DRIVEN x DESIGN Sydney Design Awards 2019
Shortlisted WAF ( World Architecture Festival) Awards 2019
Special Honoree / Project of the Year 7th Annual Architizer A+Awards 2019
Popular Choice Winner 7th Annual Architizer A+Awards 2019
Jury Awards Winner 7th Annual Architizer A+Awards 2019
Editors' Gold Mark INDE.Awards 2019
Honorable Mentioned INDE.Awards 2019
Winner Asia Pacific Property Awards 2019
Winner Think Brick Awards Horbury Hunt Commercial Award 2019
Bronze Award 12th Annual International Design Award (IDA) 2018
Finalist The Urban Developer Awards 2019
Commendation UDIA NSW Crown Group Awards for Excellence 2019
Longlisted Dezeen Awards 2019
Shortlisted Australian Construction Awards (ACA) 2019
Winner Excellence in Brick and Block Awards 2018 2018
Shortlisted Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Concept Design Marketing 2015
Winner Design Excellence Competition City of Sydney 2013
