[ Jean Nouvel ] One Central Park

A few years ago, Jean Nouvel unveiled his plans for two towers for Sydney City, and now, the project has just received approval.  Located on the site of a former brewery,  the towers – one 16 stories and the other 33 – are part of the 250,000 sqm development plan managed by Frasers Property.

The towers will house 563 luxury apartments above a six level retail and recreation podium.  The eastern tower features  a dramatic heliostat installation, extending from the upper levels on a grand cantilever. The heliostat incorporates an innovative system of fixed and motorized mirrored panels designed to capture sunlight and redirect it into the retail atrium and onto the landscaped terraces.  At night the heliostat’s integrated lighting – designed by lighting artist Yann Kersale – will theatrically and colorfully illuminate the towers.

For the green facades, Nouvel collaborated with French artist and botanist Patrick Blanc.  Garden boxes and vertical wires incorporated into the loggias will wrap the towers in plant life, extending the central parkland  literally up the buildings.

In the images, the dozens of green gardens look chaotic and almost messy as they take over the façade, yet we’ll have to wait a few years to see what the project looks like built  - construction will begin in December.


from  archdaily