The architectural concept unfolds through the "Connecting with Country" consultation, where the building form is inspired by the storytelling of the Tree, Water, and Life, embodied by both human and non-human kin. This design explores the deep, interwoven relationship between people, place, and nature, focusing on how the built environment interacts with its natural context.
The site's through-link aims to connect the established green canopy corridor to the pedestrian pathways anticipated under the Castle Hill Precinct Plan. This link emphasises the immersive experience of Nature and non-human kin, with water playing a vital role in activating the garden space. As water flows through the site, it introduces dynamic changes in elevation, guiding movement and enriching the visitor’s connection with the landscape.
Verticality is introduced through the thoughtful articulation of massing, shaping clear and distinct forms for the tower. The podium, in contrast, is defined by a rhythmic arrangement of vertical brick blades, which respond to the site's natural topography and shift gracefully along the changing slope. This interplay of rhythm reflects both the land’s movement and the fluidity of water, seamlessly merging architectural form with the natural world.
