Smart Design Studio and Richard Francis-Jones of fjmt have been selected as the architects of the final residential stages at Central Park, a $2 billion mixed-use project in Chippendale, Sydney

Following a mandatory design competition, which seeks to ensure design excellence at the precinct, the Smart-designed building will be the first residential building to be developed on the Abercrombie Street edge of Central Park.

“Our design intent was to create a link between Chippendale and the southern edge of the Sydney CBD. We wanted to create a building that offered privacy to its occupants and beauty to the passersby,” said William Smart of Smart Design Studio.

The design of this building, Block 8, was informed by lessons borrowed from nature. For instance, the rippled surface of water inspired the exploration of a lenticular façade and louvres which, used in an artful way, provide the privacy required while controlling the light. This works to create movement across a façade with an ever-changing character.

Block 8 by Smart Design Studio

Block 8 by Smart Design Studio

Bordered by O’Connor and Wellington Streets on the Chippendale edge of the precinct, the fjmt-designed building, Block 11, will be independently developed by Frasers, and will include approximately 320 apartments.

“Our design for this important part of Central Park introduces a curvilinear and fluid architecture. It will create additional landscaped parkland and apartments opening out to views and natural light,” said Richard Francis-Jones, design director of fjmt.

Block 11 by fjmt

Block 11 by fjmt

Both winners were chosen by the Design Review Panel, which was responsible for nominating the architects and a preferred concept scheme for each site. The plans were then submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure for ratification.

Currently, 1400 apartments are under construction as part of the first stage of Central Park, with over 1200 apartments sold thus far.

“Next year will see development accelerating further – not only on the residential front but also on other phases of the development – with commencement of the commercial precinct, student housing and refurbishment of historic Kensington,” says Frasers Property CEO, Guy Pahor.

Recently, Frasers invited the local community, including the nearby UTS and University of Notre Dame to join Smart Design Studio’s William Smart on a site tour, and to discuss his proposed design. The community will also be asked to comment on fjmt’s evolving design.

The precinct’s design team already comprises the following collaborators:

Masterplanning: Lead by Foster + Partners (UK), in partnership with Johnson Pilton Walker (Aust) and Ateliers Jean Nouvel (France)
Chippendale Green (public park): Jeppe Aagaard Andersen (Denmark) and Turf Design (Aust)
‘One Central Park’ and ‘Central’: Ateliers Jean Nouvel and PTW Architects (Aust), with artist/botanist Patrick Blanc (France), lighting artist Yann Kersale (France). Interiors by Koichi Takada Architects and Smart Design Studio
‘Park Lane’: Johnson Pilton Walker
‘The Mark’: Johnson Pilton Walker
100 Broadway (Commercial): Foster + Partners with PTW Architects
Block 4S student residences: Foster + Partners with Nettletontribe (Aust)
Brewery Yard precinct: Tzannes Associates (Aust)
Kensington Street precinct: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (Aust)
Public art consultant: Barbara Flynn, with Turpin + Crawford Studio

Geraldine Chua

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