Winners of the new permanent public pavilion on Sydney. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley
02/01/2021.
[Sydney] Australia
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The studio Spresser and Peter Besley have won the architecture competition for the new permanent public pavilion on Sydney Harbour in Australia.
The Pavilion mediates the enormous scale of the neighboring buildings and the sweeping horizontality of the harbor by setting up its system of civic scale. It can be read at a great distance through its simplicity in form and consistency in color.
The Pavilion mediates the enormous scale of the neighboring buildings and the sweeping horizontality of the harbor by setting up its system of civic scale. It can be read at a great distance through its simplicity in form and consistency in color.
Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Project floor plan. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Elevation north and south. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Elevation east and west. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Elevation of entry and secondly entry. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Section. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Sketch. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Sketch. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Model. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Model. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Model. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Model. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Model. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Model. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
Model. Sydney Harbour Pavilion by SPRESSER and Peter Besley. Images courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley
The collaboration between the architecture studios of Spresser and Peter Besley results in the Pavilion which is comprised of 123 Oyster Concrete columns, varying in spacing and porosity. A linear building within a building sits against the southern edge, shielding the internal space from prevailing winds.
The linear building does not touch the Pavilion's ceiling. Both roofs are planted, favoring native species found on surrounding sandstone headlands.
The program houses a small bar and stage that can be opened during event mode through large oyster-paneled pivot doors. A permanent seat to the east is double-sided, facing both the internal Pavilion and the public realm.
The linear building does not touch the Pavilion's ceiling. Both roofs are planted, favoring native species found on surrounding sandstone headlands.
The program houses a small bar and stage that can be opened during event mode through large oyster-paneled pivot doors. A permanent seat to the east is double-sided, facing both the internal Pavilion and the public realm.
Description of project by Spresser and Peter Besley
Made of recycled Sydney oyster shells, the Pavilion references human gathering by the sea. It is designed as a democratic gathering space under a landscape canopy and acts as a meeting place, a site for events, and a memorable part of the city. Approximately 380 sqm in area, the Pavilion consists of 123 columns, an 8m diameter oculus and a smaller free-standing enclosure which contains a stage and bar/servery.
The Pavilion celebrates elements that compose the site: land, sea and sky. Land is expressed through a democratic gathering space under a landscape canopy; its curved envelope analogous to neighbouring coves. Sea is experienced via materiality. Sydney rock oysters are mixed with white concrete, which is then honed to reveal the shell. Sky is understood through a large oculus puncturing the canopy, its perfect circle free of earthly geometries.
“We are very honoured that our scheme has been selected from such a strong field of contenders. Personally, this means a great deal as an emerging young architect. The organisers deserve great credit for putting together this blind-assessed, meritocratic competition.”
Jessica Spresser
At a distance the Pavilion retains a bold statuesque quality due to the simplicity of its elevations being made entirely of columns, and those columns being full height to the thin eave. Up close, a person finds themselves also in a civic scale, this time of the column height with respect their own, and the column families working together in powerful arrays.
“In the context of a busy, bustling world city we wanted to make a work that was profoundly still. We hope it has an almost haunting intimacy despite being a decidedly civic building at the same time.”
Peter Besley
The Pavilion is intended to remain for a long time, and become indivisible from the place. It is intended to figure in people’s memories as they grow: from child to teenager, to adult and elderly person. The design’s distinctive shape, qualities of light, compelling spaces, and oyster texture will all live on in the mind over time. The Pavilion seeks to attach itself to memorable occasions in people’s lives.
The Pavilion is due for completion in late 2022.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Engineers.- Arup.
Area
380 sqm.
Dates
Estimated date of completion.- Late 2022.
Location
Sydney Harbour, Australia.
Images
Courtesy of SPRESSER, Peter Besley.
Jessica Spresser. SPRESSER
SPRESSER is an emerging architecture practice based in Australia, founded by Jessica Spresser. The studio engages with built and speculative architectural work, object design and fine art.
Jessica Spresser is an emerging Australian architect. She has practiced in London, Tokyo and Venice, including with the internationally recognised architects Junya Ishigami, Kengo Kuma and Anupama Kundoo. Jessica holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Queensland, where she was awarded the Karl & Gertrude Langer Memorial Prize for Design (2011). She remains a sessional design tutor and guest critic at the UQ School of Architecture. Jessica is a regular juror for the Australian Institute of Architects awards program.
Jessica Spresser is an emerging Australian architect. She has practiced in London, Tokyo and Venice, including with the internationally recognised architects Junya Ishigami, Kengo Kuma and Anupama Kundoo. Jessica holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Queensland, where she was awarded the Karl & Gertrude Langer Memorial Prize for Design (2011). She remains a sessional design tutor and guest critic at the UQ School of Architecture. Jessica is a regular juror for the Australian Institute of Architects awards program.
Peter Besley
Peter Besley leads a studio of architecture and urban design based in London UK and Brisbane, Australia. He formerly led Assemblage which he co-founded, and taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture. Peter practices and teaches internationally.
Peter is a registered architect in the United Kingdom and member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Australian Institute of Architects.
Peter is a registered architect in the United Kingdom and member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Australian Institute of Architects.
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