367 Collins Street, Melbourne

Curzon + Partners’ Ceiling Design Takes Flight at 367 Collins Street

Look up inside the newly revitalised lobby at 367 Collins Street and the inspiration behind its most striking feature becomes apparent. Inspired by the peregrine falcons that return to nest on the building each year, a remarkable three-axis metal ceiling sweeps through the space, giving the impression of taking flight.

Designed by Curzon + Partners and delivered by FDC Construction & Fitout, the ceiling was the result of close collaboration with SAS International Australia through SAS Design, an in-house design service specialising in fully bespoke and customised ceilings. Led by SAS International Project Designer Jerom Lee, the team worked collaboratively from the early stages to develop the original concept into a ceiling solution that could be engineered, manufactured and installed.

The ceiling comprises 3,136 unique aluminium tubes, individually numbered in sequence for ease of installation. Together, the tubes extend across 7,354 linear metres and are supported by 7,849 suspension points. Each tube moves through three dimensions, travelling left and right across the lobby while simultaneously rising and falling, requiring a high degree of precision throughout design and manufacture. Their path culminates in a dramatic downward spiral above the building’s food and beverage tenancy, creating a focal point that draws the eye through the space.

Achieving this complex geometry required considerably more than simply adapting an existing metal ceiling system. The collaborative design process explored how thousands of individual elements could be formed, supported and coordinated to achieve the fluidity of the Curzon + Partners design while remaining practical to manufacture and install.