The Alliance Française Centre Building
"Indeed, it is inconceivable to think of modern Australia without the benign influence of Harry Seidler on its cities and on the high standards achieved in design."
Dennis Sharp 'The Master Architect Series'
Click to enlarge View of the AF building
Harry Seidler was one of Australia’s most awarded, prolific and innovative architects. Faimed for his brilliance and acclaimed for his unsurpassed body of work, Seidler’s major contribution to architecture in Australia is unparalleled. The Alliance Française Centre on Clarence Street
is the last commercial building designed by this master architect. Landmark buildings in the vicinity of the AF Centre include Australia Square and Grosvenor Place, both distinguished by the remarkable art works installed in their public spaces, something which has always been a hallmark of Seidler’s architecture.
Seidler’s classic modern design of the thir
teen storey AF Centre building includes signature Seidler motifs from the curved forms of the glass façade to the spectacular circular granite stairway at the entrance. It links three floors and creates a natural flow between the Café, classrooms and the media centre. The flowing curves of the façade are animated by floor to ceiling windows on Clarence Street and vertical external louvers that minimise the effect of morning sun. The indentations that are created by balconies on a number of floors add to the visual texture of the building.
The Centre features fifteen classrooms which are equipped with the latest technology for language teaching. The thirteenth floor provides open space with a balcony and superb views of
Sydney, offering an ideal setting for conferences, exhibitions and receptions.
The street level entrance brings you into a dramatic,
two storey void which houses the Alliance Française de Sydney‘s Parisian style café, operated by the renowned restaurateur, Becasse, and the Alliance’s Reception Centre. Click here for more information on Becasse.
The lower ground floor has been designed as a flexible multi purpose space that can be easily reconfigured and divided into smaller classes or opened up as a public space for recitals and lectures. The granite open tread circular staircase links this floor to the street level Café as well as the sunny media centre on level 1. The administration of the Alliance Française and additional classrooms are situated on the level 2.
The Alliance Française Centre provides a wonderful environment for students, members and staff and we welcome you to join us there for classes and cultural events, the latest French periodicals and DVDs, or simply for superb food and coffee.
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 | | "Indeed, it is inconceivable to think of modern Australia without the benign influence of Harry Seidler on its cities and on the high standards achieved in design."
Dennis Sharp 'The Master Architect Series'
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 | | The Alliance Française Centre is located on 257 Clarence Street, near Town Hall.
Read more... |
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