Chris Wilkinson and Paul Baker of Wilkinson Eyre have released new images of their iconic tower for Crown Resorts at Sydney’s Barangaroo.

Speaking at an Urban Taskforce breakfast this morning, Wilkinson revealed design details for the lower three floors of Crown Sydney, which will house restaurants, shops and cafes, as well as the casino.

Inspired by London’s gothic St Paul’s Cathedral and its architect Sir Christopher Wren, a veil of struts will wrap around the podium levels.

The UK-based practice won the design competition early last year (beating two other shortlisted teams), favoured for its curves and fine lines that Crown Resorts chairman James Packer said “celebrate the harbour and create an architectural ‘postcard’ that will help attract international tourists and assist Sydney to compete with other global destinations”.

Chris Wilkinson said a challenge for the team would be to design an elegant sculptural form that enhances the skyline, as well as create a lively public realm at ground level.

“My ambition is to create a sculptural form that will rise up on the skyline like an inhabited artwork, with differing levels of transparency, striking a clear new image against the sky,” he said.

Drawing from the idea of ‘advanced geometry’, the tower’s form emanates from three petals which twist and rise together. The first form peels off, spreading outward to form the main hotel room accommodation, while the remaining two twist together toward the sky.

While in Sydney, the architects have dismissed concerns the local authorities may require a height reduction, telling Fairfax that if it is the case it would likely mean redesigning the girth to contain the same amount of accommodation.

Geraldine Chua

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