Bligh street aerial

1 Bligh Street

Sydney, Australia

1 Bligh Street

Sydney

Set in the heart of Sydney’s financial district, 1 Bligh Street stands out for its graceful curves, creative use of glass and other features that make it both welcoming and among Australia’s greenest buildings.

The elliptical tower is oriented to offer the best views of Sydney Harbour. To preserve the view without resorting to heat-absorbing black glass, the architects designed a nearly clear, dual-skin façade. Computer-controlled blinds help meet the building's cooling requirements.

Inside, a soaring glass atrium, dramatically curvilinear in shape, brings sunlight and fresh air into the building’s core. The column-free floor plan ensures unimpeded views.

Otis designed and installed the building’s 15 elevators. The eight atrium elevators feature curved-glass walls – an exhilarating experience for passengers moving through the light-filled space.

Among the biggest challenges: the building’s curved elevator shafts and the amount of glass involved. The hoistways are fully exposed, and the machine-room walls, floors and ceilings are also glass, making the elevator equipment visible.

In keeping with the building's sustainability goals, we used recycled materials and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) solvents and paints.

elevators

15


OTIS® ELEVATORS

on site installation mechanics

28


OTIS ON-SITE INSTALLATION MECHANICS

architectural height

456 ft


ARCHITECTURAL HEIGHT

Quick facts about 1 Bligh Street

Green features include a basement sewage plant that recycles 90 percent of the building’s waste water. The building is also equipped with a tri-generation plant that provides heating, cooling and power.

Awards for the building’s creative use of space and sustainable design include Germany’s Internationaler Hochhaus Preis in 2012. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat named it the Best Tall Building in Asia & Australasia for 2012. The Green Building Council of Australia awarded it six-star green status, its highest rating.

  • 1 Opened - 2011


  • 2 Years preconstruction work - 2


  • 3 Square footage - 492,000


  • 4 Architects - Architectus and Ingenhoven Architects


  • 5 Six-Star Green Status - Green Building Council of Australia


  • 6 Panoramic Elevators - 8


  • 7 m/s lift speed - 6


Bligh street line drawing