This project involved developing facade colour options for a 28-storey apartment building in Sydney’s CDB. The aim was to maintain the building’s reputation as a prestige contemporary apartment building within its environment and the broader urban landscape.
Located at 127 Kent Street, Highgate apartment building was originally ESSO House (1971-1992), a commercial building which was converted to apartments in 1992.
A challenge for this project was the existing colour scheme of Highgate. This featured a range of hues and tonal values as per the following illustration. Fixed colour details included the mid grey granite base at street level, muted green/grey window and door frames, sandstone columns and plinth at the entrance, portico entrance awning, and blue tinted windows.
In developing facade colour options, reference was made to relevant planning policies and the facade colours of heritage buildings in close proximity were acknowledged.
In addition, an environmental colour mapping study was conducted of neighbouring buildings. This provided insight into the ways in which new facade colour options could ensure Highgate was compatible with its context while also maintaining a distinctive presence.
A total of four façade colour scheme options were presented to the committee, who chose three final options for consideration. The façade colour scheme project was completed in November 2020.
