A 100 metre-long geometric abstraction forms the base of a new office building opened in Sydney this week.

The developers claim that one of the largest murals in the Southern Hemisphere forms the base of the new five-story Vantage at Norwest Business Park.

The $49 million building was designed by GHD in close consultation with property development company Presida. It was opened by the Leader of the NSW Opposition, Barry O’Farrell MP this week.

Designed to achieve a minimum 4.5 star NABERS energy rating, it has a highly articulated façade with floor-to-ceiling double-glazed performance glass.

Artist Miles Allen designed the 110-metre long, eight-metre high mural, which he describes as a “geometric abstraction”.

Allen says the mural design was inspired by the Neo-Plasticism style pioneered by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. It features shades of blue and green to reflect the predominant tones of the five-storey Vantage.

“Whilst the design is intended to be eye-catching, it is important that the mural doesn’t completely draw attention away from the building above,” explained Allen. “There is an aesthetic balance — a harmonious relationship between the mural and the office space.”

Because the building is rectangular, the mural needed strong linear visuals.

“The presence of the darker horizontal and vertical lines instils a flowing rhythm as they fluctuate up and down and over the length of the wall,” said Allen. “Smaller squares are points of balance amongst the lines and rectangles, while the prominent white areas are used to bring a sense of space and lightness.”

Metal ‘fins’ border some of the colour panels, creating shadow lines and giving the wall a three-dimensional effect, while at the base of the mural native flora has been planted.

The mural was commissioned by John Paini, the former turned property developer company, who is managing director at Presida.

The developer said that bringing the 880sqm one-dimensional wall ‘to life’ took a team of skilled tradespeople six weeks and numerous frustrating moments as changing outdoor temperatures affected the performance of the metal panels.

Paini says he was able to capitalise on lower building costs during the GFC.

David Wheeldon

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