1 Elizabeth | JPW - Johnson Pilton Walker

Conceptual Framework

Through the world-class renewal of a city block into an innovative, high-density, integrated transport development, 1 Elizabeth has transformed a city precinct. Responding to a sensitive and compact context, the design blurs the boundaries between the welcoming, inclusive Sydney public spaces below, and the future-facing community and connection-focused global financial headquarters above.

Public and Cultural Benefits

1 Elizabeth offers a permeable and connected public place for our time. Four corner entries connect adjacent streets and squares with the central plaza. Places to wait, meet, eat, drink, recharge, and be inspired surround an atrium overlooking the metro platform 6 floors below ground with several levels of amenities above, including a 1000-capacity event venue.

On Gadigal land, the plaza is enriched through the interplay of Indigenous voices, landscaping and artworks including a permanent Acknowledgement of Country with new public art alongside artworks salvaged from the P&O building.

Relationship of Built Form to Context

Completing a trio of landmark Hunter Street towers and responding to the Martin Place sun access controls, the curvilinear form maximizes public sunlight and sky views, improves pedestrian wind conditions and addresses adjacent squares.

The tower responds sympathetically to 50 Martin Place with a granite base, fins, and terraces for streetwall continuity between 50 Martin Place and Qantas House and axial symmetry, silver-faceted skin, and a clear southern façade lens which echoes the silver dome.

Program Resolution

Clear initiatives unlocked synergies between global headquarters, transport and public places including –

- lifting the tower 15m above the street to maximise public space, light and air to the plaza and platform

-  the side-core, which allows central atria from plaza to the metro platform and also throughout Macquarie’s workplace with a vibrant stair connecting and strengthening community and culture

- diverse workplace typologies, from 4,000m2 campus floors incorporating 50 Martin Place to 1500m2 high-rise floors

- the glazed liftwell, which provides naturally sidelit atria, light and views to all four sides of the workplace and animates both interior and exterior with continual motion.

Integration of Allied Disciplines

Intensive collaboration resolved design challenges unique to this project to unify diverse inputs into a coherent whole, including integrating requirements of station architecture, public art, First Nations culture, landscape, engineering and safety at the complex station/tower interfaces, and bespoke high performance tower engineering.

Cost/Value Outcomes

Intelligent solutions were prioritized over opulent materials to maximize public and occupant amenity while delivering the project to a budget and a strict deadline.

Sustainability

Key design strategies reduced embodied and operational carbon emissions including efficient structure, material reduction and recycling, all-electric services, and high-performance façade and mechanical systems. 1 Elizabeth is 6 Star Green Star Design rated.

Response to Client and User Needs

The response to the client’s aspirations has produced a vibrant global headquarters enriched by memorable atria, stairs, terraces, and lifts.

Responding to and sensitively integrating with 50 Martin Place, the tower and its plaza complete the city block and link Martin Place to Hunter Street and the north-eastern CBD with a pulsing civic heart.