HDR | rice daubney curves wood walls through novartis australia HQ

HDR | rice daubney curves wood walls through novartis australia HQ
all images courtesy of HDR | rice daubney

images have recently been revealed of the australian headquarters for the swiss-based healthcare company novartis, to be located in sydney. designed by architecture office HDR | rice daubney, the scheme is distinguished by two main formally contrasting components: an elevated glass-clad building volume, and a series of full-height curving wood walls. the latter meanders through the structure to functionally divide spaces, most specifically the main entry’s atrium.

a rendered animation provides a look at the envisioned novartis australian headquarters
video courtesy of HDR architecture

the design team describes the structure’s layout as, ‘a translation of the novartis brand, which is grounded in fact-based science—represented by the glass box—and a mission of caring and curing—signified by the soft curved timber structures that act as both the physical and emotional core of the building.’

the new facility will unite the three constituents that make up the company’s australian operations: alcon, novartis pharmaceuticals, and sandoz. the six-story development serves to increase staff interaction between departments and also promote innovation and identity.

an uninterrupted glass elevation faces the street

the central atrium is envisioned as a spatially open place for interaction and communication between different floor levels, departments, and staff members. it unites the lobby, café, and novartis museum at grade with offices and meeting rooms above, and also accesses the building’s roof terrace.

curving floor plates protrude into the central atrium space

to outline the aims of the new facility, jason smith, the managing director of novartis pharmaceuticals in australia, states:

‘to support our position as a leading healthcare company in australia, we need to create an environment that facilitates collaboration, inspires productivity and performance, and allows us to connect with the external world—with our customers and industry stakeholders. the design of our new building will help us achieve this.’

the space is seen as a place for interaction and collaboration between staff members of different departments

due for completion at the end of 2015, the novartis headquarters building is designed to achieve a 5 star green star rating from the green building council of australia, as well as a 5 star energy rating from the national australian built environment rating system.