The original apartment building was designed by the NSW Government Architect’s office in the late 1970s. It’s a surviving example of brutalist architecture. Sirius will be an exemplar for adaptive reuse. It draws on much of BVN’s expertise from related projects: Quay Quarter Tower and Greenland.

Aligning old and new is the hallmark of BVN’s designs for Sirius.

Firstly it retains the original proportions and materials - the existing concrete facade will be restored.

And secondly, it builds on this - new copper pods are a modern interpretation of the concrete modules. The original concrete speaks to the building’s history, and the new copper responds with the design language of today.

The historic Phillip Room is being carefully and lovingly restored: its original timber beam ceiling and walls are being renovated and reinforced for a long future.

BVN and UK interior designer Kelly Hoppen are designing the interiors, with BVN developing the design for the majority of the apartments, residential lobbies and roof terraces.

Our approach to the interior design takes cues from the strength of the building’s original design. Materials chosen for longevity complement the concrete and copper. These play on the contrast between raw and polished, and create very tactile spaces. New windows will bring the spectacular Sydney Harbour right inside. Special patterns within the timber flooring replicate the brutalist lines of the building’s exterior.

Through considered sustainable upgrades and additions of new elements, the building will be repurposed as contemporary apartments carrying the bold architectural character of the original.