Stokes 18 is a ‘big cousin’ and neighbour to our own studio, Stokes 14. It transitions from the lower scale of the adjoining heritage conservation area to the emerging city centre of Green Square City centre to the southwest. To make this transition, the new building’s form and materials echo the architectural language of our own studio, which takes inspiration from the surrounding industrial area.

Similarly to our studio, Stokes 18 runs off the energy that it produces (estimated to produce 1.3 times its annual consumption). To achieve this, 400 solar photo-voltaic panels are integrated into the facades and roof and coupled with battery storage. Concurrently, the building is designed to be very energy efficient; through energy-efficient fixtures and fittings, natural cross-ventilation, daylight harvesting and minimising AC.

A light-filled stair and entrance hall connects the five floors of the building. The off-form concrete stair, with its concave and convex landings, continues the sculpted language of the external building form. The all-concrete material palette of the hall creates a monolithic space, washed with natural light from the clerestory windows and vertical slots at both ends of the 23m long space.

Stokes 18 will deliver premium office floors that include generous 3.8m ceiling heights, with abundant natural daylight and fresh air from glazing on 3 sides. Robust materials such as sand-blasted concrete octagonal columns and polished concrete floors reinforce the desired ‘warehouse’ character of this precinct. The coffers of the concrete slab and beam structure are exposed and integrate up-lighting with 6m diameter ceiling fans.  These offices are flexible and durable spaces that can be repurposed for various uses, for longevity and sustainability.

This project’s sustainability headlines are as follows:

• Energy Positive
• Natural Ventilation
• Radiant Heating & Cooling
• Minimal AC
• Daylight harvesting
• Excellent End of Trip Facilities
• Waste Minimisation
• Rain water collection and reuse
• Drought Tolerant Gardens

This development also dedicates 1270m2 of land to the City of Sydney to become public gardens.

SMART DESIGN STUDIO ARCHITECTURE FROM THE INSIDE OUT