Monument

Perched atop a podium in the vibrant heart of Darlinghurst, one of Sydney’s most eclectic inner-city neighbourhoods, this elevated landscape offers a resort-like retreat above the pulse of the urban realm below.

Anchored by a striking glass-edged pool that cantilevers above the city’s grit and grain, the design responds directly to the architectural narrative of the building. The bronzed glass, platinum cladding and sculptural bronze panels inform a material palette that is both refined and contextually resonant. The iconic metal ‘halo’ that encircles the building becomes a visual and conceptual anchor, subtly echoed in the curvature and rhythm of the landscape forms.

Set atop a functioning structure, the podium landscape was shaped by structural limitations that demanded both creativity and restraint. The design resolution embraces lightweight construction strategies—timber decking floats above the slab while verdant planter beds are carefully positioned over structural columns to distribute load efficiently.

This elevated environment is not only an architectural extension, but a sensory counterpoint to the density below—offering residents a space of immersion, reflection and escape within the inner-city fabric.