As work progresses on our client Aqualand’s landmark AURA by Aqualand project in North Sydney, the project’s design, by acclaimed architects Woods Bagot, is gaining lots of attention.

The elegantly curved building is set to redefine the streetscape and city skyline of North Sydney, and is the city’s latest example of architecture as sculpture, a category that includes some of the city’s most memorable buildings, from the white sails of the Sydney Opera House to the giant plant-draped bowls of Barangaroo House and Darling Harbour’s nest-like mixed-use building, The Exchange.

The building’s gracefully undulating facade will create an illusion that the single structure is divided into four separate towers, with staggered peaks stepping down from level 29 to level 23. AURA by Aqualand’s distinctive hourglass shape cinches in at the level-nine ‘waist’ of the building, where the resident’s community centre is located.

Translucent glass, muted metallics and black lines contrast against textured white finishes, including aggregate quartz and concrete. In the retail precinct, circular voids in the podium awnings draw sunlight into seating areas. Vine-draped awnings near the ground level add layers of lush greenery. Natural light streams into the indoor residents’ pool via skylights and oversized windows and is used near lift wells on each floor to guide residents to their destination. Perforated metal screens control privacy while inviting dappled light inside the spacious homes.

AURA by Aqualand’s sculptural contribution to the area will be further enhanced by a separate stunning public art piece commissioned from leading British artist and sculptor, Richard Sweeney. Submitted to North Sydney Council for approval earlier last year, the bold sculpture, which will be positioned at the building’s Walker Street entry, will also draw inspiration from the beauty of the Sydney Harbour foreshore surrounding the project.