The nine-storey building in Cremorne brings several fine-grain industrial sites together into one. Three indentations carved from a brick podium widen the footpath at street level, making room for new trees, seating and the entries to two hospitality tenancies. Lemon-scented gums grow straight from deep soil below, rather than from planters. Above, a glazed tower follows the same curves, drawing light to the back of each floor.

The masonry detailing wraps around to the secondary façades, and the external fire stairs at the rear carry bright red balustrades for the building’s eastern neighbours. The rooftop belongs to the people who work there – a half basketball court nods to anchor tenant Adidas, alongside space for working, gathering and exercise. The building was fully leased before it was finished, with Suupaa and Baker Bleu at ground level.

The jury citation reads:

“65 Dover by Fieldwork is an expertly conceived and delivered work of commercial architecture that fulfills its brief to deliver highly functional and flexible modern workspaces, whilst comprehensively improving its surroundings through an elegant and nuanced response to its context.

65 Dover St sets a new benchmark for commercial architecture of this scale – integrous, gracious and refined.”

Thanks to everyone in the Fieldwork team, past and present, who brought the project to life: Quino Holland, Tim Brooks, Sukhjit Kaur, Vlad Doudakliev, Andrew Richardson, Eoghan McCarthy, Raphael Graham, Bridget Lensen, Elina Luostarinen, Kara Kim, Nicola Leong, Lisa Garner and Monica Percudani.

Thank you to our client, Fortis, and the collaborators and consultants.