Sculptural Contribution – 52 Reservoir Street by SJB
Announcing its arrival with a sculptural façade clad in custom glazed aquamarine bricks, 52 Reservoir Street in Surry Hills is a positive indication of the future of the workplace, welcoming self-expression and connections to the outdoors. Constructed during Sydney’s lockdowns, this mixed-use commercial building encompasses ground floor retail sites and eight levels of boutique office space, along with courtyards pleasantly planted out with lush ferns and shrubs.
Inside, the office spaces are designed with minimal fuss. All services are pushed to the spine of the building, leaving the spaces open and malleable. Large windows lend light and air, giving the rooms a warehouse- like aesthetic. In the upper reaches of the building, where the façade changes to a scalloped concrete structure, a landscaped roof terrace provides the occupants with a place to meet, take in the fresh air and look out over the vibrant streetscape.
A new laneway running alongside the building allows for daylight to enter the spaces from three sides and creates a pedestrian connection between Reservoir and Foster Streets – the first seen since the early 20th century. Halfway down this laneway, an impressive timber foyer provides a unique point of entry for the building. An installation of glazed panels by artist Marisa Purcell hangs above the laneway, casting a dappled glow and inviting visitors to wander.
With an emphasis on the simple things – light, space and fresh air – and some joyful details, 52 Reservoir Street makes an outsized statement on its small site and represents an adaptable new insertion into the dense fabric of Surry Hills.
