DUO Central Park is a $290million mixed-use development that forms a key part of the Central Park masterplan in Sydney. Designed by renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, this award-winning project centres Boral's concrete as the star of its dramatic design theme.
Located between Broadway and Regent Street, this project extends the historic area of Chippendale by reinstating the original grid to unite the formerly closed-off land to the north with its surroundings. The development is anchored by the retention of several existing heritage buildings and historic features.
Project Challenge
The main goals of the project were to create a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly community that integrates modern architectural elements with historic features. The project aimed to provide unique and memorable spaces for living, working, and playing, while achieving Australia's first 5 Star Green Rating.
Boral Solution
Through our concrete placing subsidiary, De Martin & Gasparini, Boral supplied over 37,000m³ of concrete for the DUO Central Park project using two stationary high pressure concrete pumps and four concrete placing tower booms.
Architects Foster + Partners incorporated exposed concrete as part of the building's unique theme, extending from the lift and stair walls to the lobbies, the concrete truss with Y shaped columns and exposed façade columns.
The use of self-compacting concrete helped achieve a high level of finish across the exposed elements. This ensured consistency in concrete compaction and colourisation, significantly reduced manual safety risks, and added value for the client.
Team Engagement
Boral's team worked closely with De Martin & Gasparini (DMG), who were contracted to supply, pump, place, and finish the concrete. Boral's technical expertise in bespoke concrete mixes enabled DMG to achieve the desired finish for the exposed concrete elements. The partnership approach, communication, and level of support provided during the project were key to its success.
Project Outcomes
DUO Central Park achieved a 5 Star Green Rating, with an environmental strategy that includes green roofs while the massing and orientation of the buildings maximised natural light and ventilation.
The 38-storey development comprises 313 luxury apartments, office space, a childcare facility, and a hotel which successfully integrates modern architectural elements with historic features.
The exposed concrete finish is a true highlight of the project giving the building a unique, timeless look. The impressive lobbies and textures grabbed the attention of the UDIA judges, due in part to the choice of concrete materials.
The project has won many awards, including:
- 2020 - Good Design Awards - Winner, Green Urban Planning / Landscape Architecture
- 2020 - UDIA National Awards for Excellence - Winner, Environmental Excellence (National)
- 2019 - Good Design Awards Australia - Best in Class: Urban Design and Public Domain
- 2019 - Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) - Overall Winner, Urban Habitat (District/Master Plan)
- 2019 - UDIA, Excellence in Sustainability & Environmental Technology
- 2019 - UDIA - Excellence in Mixed-Use Development
- 2019 - UDIA - Excellence in High-Density Development
- 2019 - UDIA - Excellence in Masterplanned Communities
- 2017 - Australian Institute of Architects, National Architecture Awards – The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture
- 2017 - Australian Institute of Architects - NSW Architecture Awards, Award for 'Sustainable Architecture'
- 2017 - Australian Institute of Architects, NSW Architecture Awards - The Lloyd Rees Award for 'Urban Design'
- 2017 - Inaugural Greater Sydney Planning Awards - Winner ‘Great New Place to Live and/or Work’
- 2016 - PIA Awards for Planning Excellence New South Wales – President’s Award
