Collaboratively delivered by Ateliers Jean Nouvel (Design Architect), PTW Architects (Collaborating Architect) and Facade Engineers Surface Design, One Central Park is the centrepiece of a 5.8 hectare precinct redevelopment located on the site of the former Carlton United Brewery site, Chippendale. This unprecedented mixed use residential and retail development provides 623 luxury apartments across two high rise towers, sitting above a five storey retail and recreational podium.
With the concept of ‘parkland’ at the heart of the precinct design, we have created a biomechanical tower with extensive vertical and horizontal gardens. 30m high hydroponic green walls, modular composite metal clad polyethelene hydroponic planter boxes with stainless steel latticed vine climbing cables, a 40m cantilevering sky garden/heliostat reflector and trafficable green roofs make this building’s envelope truly unique and unprecedented in the international façade arena.
Testing and identifying sound plants that work in all environments across the building, the seamless integration of the automated hydroponic irrigation systems, maintaining artistic control of the overall envelope aesthetic and developing a concise post-installation maintenance plan have been careful considerations throughout the design process.
Ultimately, the composition of these façade components gives the building its iconic contextual organic identity. The contemporary bio-dynamic façade with indigenous plant life will reinforce its international identity as an Australian icon and encourage a localised feeling of belonging to the owner/occupier. The distinctive colours and fragrance of the green walls and climbing vines will draw visitors to the surroundings to experience the building at first hand.
As a biomechanical façade layer, the planter boxes and climbing vine cables offer the owner/occupier opportunities to condition internal spaces. Used in conjunction with high performance glazing, operable sliding doors and winter gardens to allow for natural ventilation, the organic plant matter provides seasonal shading and will contribute to the occupants’ positive experience of ‘the garden city’.