Martin Place Metro

The Martin Place Metro North Tower is a landmark development that stands as a cornerstone of the Martin Place integrated station precinct in Sydney. This iconic project merges modern architecture with functionality, reflecting the city’s dynamic growth and serving as a symbol of the city’s evolving urban landscape.

Design and Architecture

Designed by Foster + Partners, the North Tower features a sleek, contemporary design that accommodates the demands of a thriving business hub. The tower integrates expansive office spaces with interconnected public areas, creating a vibrant and active multi-level podium. The design highlights flexibility, sustainability, and connectivity, making it a next-generation workplace and the global headquarters for Macquarie Group.

The Challenge

The client required a shading system that could control heat and glare without obstructing the views of Sydney’s skyline or the clean internal design aesthetic of the façade. The complex geometry of the facade meant that hundreds of different angles of blinds were required to follow its shape, including rectangles, trapezoids, and top-down and bottom-up triangles.

The Solution

Guthrie Douglas worked with Horiso and Climate Ready Engineering to develop a range of bespoke shading solutions to meet the project’s unique requirements. GD developed an algorithm to manufacture systems to all the different angles, ensuring precise fitting for each unique shape. Custom tension mechanisms were designed to ensure that the blinds would be invisible when retracted. The systems were bronze anodized and integrated into the internal facade structure, preserving the building’s clean lines and contemporary aesthetic.

The shading systems are controlled via an advanced CRE blind control system, which tracks solar path, shadows cast by surrounding buildings, and live heat and glare conditions, allowing for precise adjustment. This ensures optimal comfort for occupants while maximizing energy efficiency.

Conclusion

The Martin Place Metro North Tower project exemplifies the successful integration of modern technology within a state-of-the-art commercial building. The innovative shading solutions developed by Guthrie Douglas have played a crucial role in achieving the project’s sustainability goals while maintaining its architectural integrity. This development sets a new benchmark for commercial office spaces in urban environments.

Credits:

Turner Bros. – supplied and installed the blinds supplied

CRE – provided the control system

Horiso – local blind manufacturers in Sydney