First Building at Bradfield City Centre
First Building at Bradfield City Centre by Hassell was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Holdmark Innovation Award.
The annual Holdmark Innovation Award recognises excellence and innovation in the built environment. Supported by Holdmark, the Award is presented by Powerhouse during Sydney Design Week.
Hassell
Hassell is an architecture firm that was founded in 1938 by Colin Hassell, Philip R. Claridge and Jack McConnel in Adelaide, South Australia. Guided by an exemplary vision of engaging, enriching, and enduring designs, Hassell has become a multi-disciplinary design practice.
Project Summary
‘First Building by Hassell is a building for our time. In an era when we are tackling decarbonisation in architecture, minimising construction waste and reconciling with our Connecting with Country principles, First Building provides a credible and replicable prototype for public buildings. Innovation is considered across all scales of this project — from the tectonics considered for its disassembly to the ecological repair of its immediate landscape — to demonstrate an excellent example of a contemporary sustainable community space.’
Selected for its exemplary response to the award criteria, First Building by Hassell is an adaptable, low-carbon prototype for Bradfield City Centre with industry, community and sustainability at its core. Situated on Dharug Country, the project is testament to the collaborative design vision of the Bradfield Development Authority, Hassell, Djinjama, Dharug Traditional Custodians, and project delivery partners NSW Public Works and Taylor Construction.
Guided by its Connecting with Country framework through all stages of the design, the project incorporates recycled materials, passive ventilation, a green roof with solar panels and native landscaping that boosts performance and biodiversity. Djinjama developed a Reading of Country and Narratives of Country that shaped the design of the building. Engagement with Dharug Knowledge Holders facilitated by cultural designers Djinjama raised important cultural observations, informing a softened building language with fluid lines running through the landscape and into the building.
The project sets a benchmark for building quality in the new city, highlighting responsible environmental performance, Country and civic generosity. As the home of Stage 1 of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility, it links advanced manufacturing with responsible design, while also creating skilled jobs in Western Sydney and offering an innovative and practical model that the sector can adopt.
‘First Building demonstrates how community design and industry can move together: a Country-centred approach, powered by advanced manufacturing, and designed for disassembly. It delivers a circular, low-carbon pathway that creates skilled jobs and new enterprise in Western Sydney. As Principal Partner of Sydney Design Week, Holdmark is proud that this year’s recipient recognises real-world innovations that build stronger, more connected communities.’
2025 Commendations
Commendations for the 2025 Holdmark Innovation Award were presented to two projects, each exemplifying innovation and public benefit in unique ways.
Woods Bagot was recognised for Central Station Renovation and Metro in collaboration with John McAslan and Partners — a customer-first, heritage-sensitive rail interchange that has changed public perceptions about public transport.
TRIAS, in collaboration with FabPreFab, was also commended for Practice Ground, Minima — a practical, replicable, and beautifully designed low-carbon modular housing model.
Principal Partner
Holdmark Property Group, under the leadership of founder and chief executive Sarkis Nassif, has committed $10 million towards Powerhouse Parramatta. This remarkable investment supports Sydney Design Week, the establishment of the Holdmark Gallery and an urban transformation summer school with Western Sydney University.
As Sydney Design Week Principal Partner, Holdmark supports the annual Holdmark Innovation Award presented by Powerhouse, recognising excellence and innovation in the built environment.
Holdmark Innovation Award
Holdmark Innovation Award
Supported by Holdmark, the Award is presented by Powerhouse during Sydney Design Week to a project that demonstrates excellence and innovation in architecture or engineering in the built environment. The winner receives a $10,000 cash prize.
