Blue & William

Atelier Ten brought a thoughtful, systems-based sustainability lens to the commercial redevelopment of Blue & William, delivering high-performance environmental solutions for a constrained and complex urban site. The project has achieved strong outcomes in thermal performance, energy use, and occupant wellbeing, achieving 5-star certification in Green Star and 5.5-star commitment agreement for NABERS.

Unlocking potential

Blue & William redefines North Sydney’s skyline with a boutique office experience. Featuring glazed terracotta-framed windows and expansive landscaped terraces, it blends heritage-inspired architecture with modern sustainability. Our work was guided by the client’s vision to create a low-carbon, flexible workplace that makes the most of sweeping harbour views.
The project sits introduced a range of environmental and planning challenges including complex overshadowing conditions, high wind exposure, limited passive design potential, and the need to manage long-term resilience within a constrained site footprint. The environmental design needed to meet ambitious performance benchmarks while aligning with market expectations, planning approvals, and cost control.

Performance-Driven Design Thinking

Our role extended across design and construction documentation stages, requiring adaptability as the scheme evolved. From concept to completion, our focus was on setting a clear sustainability agenda and bringing the team on the journey to ensure sustainability aspirations remained embedded in decision making through every stage of the project. Services included:

– Green Star strategy and documentation
– NABERS pathway modelling and performance advice achieving 5.5. star in design
– Contribution to the ESD Tenant Fitout Guide to enable ongoing sustainability practices during operation
– Development of a Climate Action Plan, including risk assessments for resilience, emissions, water, and heat
– Thermal comfort modelling and façade optimisation studies
-Section J compliance modelling and detailed energy analysis
-Tenant documentation reviews, including sustainability compliance checks for post-occupancy performance and metering coordination

Technical Design and Innovation

Atelier Ten used detailed parametric and envelope studies to optimise façade performance, balancing daylight access with reduced peak cooling loads. With limited passive ventilation and high glazing ratios, close coordination with the mechanical engineer helped define benchmarks and confirm the HVAC strategy would meet Green Star and NABERS targets.
Atelier Ten undertook detailed modelling and worked closely with the architect and façade consultant to identify and mitigate thermal bridging risks. This process led to the team rethinking the conventional approach of insulating the soffit beneath the slab. Instead insultation was placed above it, directly beneath the external floor finish. This subtle yet strategic inversion preserved the clean soffit aesthetic and activated the slab’s thermal mass, allowing it to moderate internal temperatures more effectively. The result was improved energy efficiency, enhanced occupant comfort and fewer coordination issues during construction.
Our climate action plan helped the design team anticipate and address key resilience risks related to extreme heat, water scarcity and emissions compliance. A comprehensive risk assessment enabled us to embed flexibility into building systems and specifications, supporting long-term adaptability.
By interrogating material selection, insulation detailing and construction sequencing, we helped deliver a more consistent thermal response across all orientations. Clear documentation and well-coordinated interfaces supported streamlined Section J approvals and reduced ambiguity during construction.

Tenant sustainability compliance

Atelier Ten played an active role in guiding Tennant fit outs, undertaking detailed reviews of tenant documentation to help ensure alignment with the base building’s Green Star and NABERS targets. This included assessing proposed fitouts, climate adaptation obligations, metering and monitoring requirements, and end-of-life waste policies.
We also advised on occupancy diversity, internal heat loads, and supplementary systems to protect the building’s long-term performance. These reviews were conducted to ensure tenants could understand and uphold the building’s environmental design intent beyond construction and into operation.

A new landmark for North Sydney

Blue & William demonstrates how a constrained commercial site can still achieve high-performance outcomes when sustainability is integrated early and consistently. For Atelier Ten, the project reflects our core approach – analysing complex ESD targets and supporting the team to deliver practical, resilient outcomes.
At every stage, Atelier Ten’s contribution focused on balancing rigour with constructability, ensuring environmental ambitions were grounded in real-world delivery. Our collaborative approach meant performance risks were addressed early, with strategies and advice clearly communicated to support client decision-making.