courtesy FJMT architects

The Concourse Chatswood, located in the heart of Sydney’s North Shore, offers a dynamic range of live arts and entertainment. The project revitalises the heart of the third largest retail precinct in Australia and has become the new iconic, civic and cultural heart of the North Shore. It features a major public open space, a 5,000sqm library, 1,000-seat concert hall, 500-seat theatre, performance and exhibition spaces, restaurants, shops and basement parking.

courtesy FJMT architects

FJMT architects  was commissioned for the master plan, community consultation process and design of this landmark sustainable, public development. The project required innovative and flexible solutions to a complex and technically challenging brief, where the design evolved from a collaborative process with Council and its key user groups, stakeholders and wider community.

courtesy FJMT architects

What stands out in the design is what should be considered the most distinct architectonic element of a civic work, i.e., terrace-making, or the earthwork, because it physically elevates the edifice and therefore its importance. The overall geometry of each volume of the complex is defined by its orientation towards a portion of the open public terraces. Like the extended balconies of the concert hall, these external dividing walls embrace and exceed their geometric massing.

courtesy FJMT architects

Each pair of two walls clad with ALUCOBOND® frames a view of the internal volume, making a gesture towards the adjacent street. A third one, clad as well with ALUCOBOND®, at a diagonal with the previous two, defines the main entry to the complex. The design of the outer skin floats into the interior and thus welcomes the visitor.

+ Project facts

Building Owner: Willoughby Municipal Council
Planning (Architect): FJMT
Fabricator/Installer: Alu-Clad Facade Systems
Year of construction: 2011
Material: ALUCOBOND® in colours naturAL Brushed, Bronze Metallic and Grey Metallic

+ All images courtesy FJMT architects