Situated in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, No. 1 Martin Place is an innovative, functional space that can be tailor-made for various events and functions. Owned by the Charter Hall Group, this space can hold several events simultaneously due to its vast floor plan and segregated audio system. The 24-level office building is conveniently located close to Sydney’s best restaurants, hotels, stores, and public transport. 

The building, which is a two-level fit-out, showcases a spectacular feature ceiling with more than 9 kilometres of pine dowel. The pine dowel is suspended at different lengths and was made from routed Key-Ply plywood panels. 

Michael Robbins from Keystone Linings and Acoustics said that his team began work during the early phases of the project to realise such a ground-breaking design. Keystone collaborated with Adriano Pupilli Architects and Siren Design on a working prototype that used natural timbers for the dowels and white triangular ceiling. After the architects finalised the designs, Graphic Projects was brought in as the preferred builder. 

Matthew Ryall, architect at Adriano Pupilli, said that No. 1 Martin Place is a multipurpose place and said, “There’s not necessarily one experience and one use. In its entirety, it’s a flexible space.”

Warwick Mayed, Charter Hall’s Regional Portfolio Manager, commented that the use of timber as a natural element added warmth to the venue, altering its atmosphere. 

According to Mayed, “Bringing in natural elements like the timber you see on The Portico ceiling, the timber on the walls and all the bespoke joinery, there’s a lot of warmth in here now.”

Siren Design Creative Director Venesa Buljubasic added that the juxtaposition between the large digital screen that intersects the building’s two levels and the natural timber “activated the space.” 

Keystone provides its clients with tailor-made linings and acoustics solutions such as the 1 Martin Place feature ceiling.