Asia & The Gulf Commercial Design Trends Asia Commercial Design Vol. 30/9 | Page 74

Project
Eliza Apartments

Location:
Sydney

Architect:
Tony Owen Partners Architects

BACK TO THE FUTURE
While the sandstone exterior of this new apartment building fits within the historical context of
the inner-city streetscape, the building methodology and architecture is pure 21st century

It’s rare for architects to get the opportunity
to design a new benchmark building in the inner
city, so when a prime park-side site became
available in Sydney’s Elizabeth Street, there was
intense interest in the development.
And architect Tony Owen did not disappoint.
With a design he describes as challenging, Owen
set out to push the boundaries using parametric
design tools to create a sustainable, new landmark
for the CBD.
“While this was always going to be a very
contemporary apartment building, it still needed
to sit within the historic context of the location,”
Owen says. “The site is opposite St Andrews
Cathedral and close to the Great Synagogue and

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the Sheraton Hotel, all fine examples of Sydney’s
beautiful heritage architecture.”
The building – Eliza Apartments – consequently
presents a contemporary expression of the
principles embodied in the surrounding buildings,
including the traditional bay window common to
buildings in Elizabeth and Macquarie Streets.
“Traditional contextual materials, such as
sandstone and steel, are also used in a modern and
challenging way,” the architect says. “We utilised
parametric 3-D computer modelling to mould the
facade to the changing environmental conditions on
the skin. The profile of every level is different, as the
design responds to the differing unit plans, views
and sun on each level.”

Below:Eliza Apartments in the
Sydney CBD was designed using
parametric modelling to create
a fluid, undulating facade where
every floor is different.
Right:The tessellated facade
features sandstone and metal,
which is in keeping with the
heritage architecture of the
surrounding buildings.