Parkline Place: Somfy at the heart of Sydney’s metro precinct

Rising 39 storeys above the new Gadigal Metro Station in Sydney’s CBD, Parkline Place is a landmark commercial tower that sets a new standard for what a workplace can achieve.

Located at 252 Pitt Street, the development integrates directly with the city’s metro infrastructure while delivering strong sustainability credentials and a premium workplace experience for its occupants.

Designed by global architecture firm Foster + Partners in collaboration with COX Architecture, the vision for the project was to create a future-focused, sustainable workplace that connects with Sydney’s metro network while enhancing the urban experience at street level.

The curved glazed facade draws inspiration from nearby heritage buildings, while 39 levels of adaptable office, retail and dining spaces, and panoramic views across Sydney Harbour and Hyde Park, position the tower as a benchmark for commercial development in Australia.

Targeting 6 Star Green Star, WELL Platinum, and a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating, sustainability was central to every design and specification decision.

As a fully electric building powered by renewable energy, reducing operational carbon emissions and maximising energy efficiency were non-negotiable priorities from the outset.

Somfy automated shading was selected to improve energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and smart building performance.

The system helps reduce glare and solar heat gain, support natural daylight utilisation, and integrate with the building management system to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency across the full building envelope.

Somfy Commercial Expert Solis Products managed the installation of a total of 4,550 Verosol Silverscreen roller blinds throughout the tower, powered by 2,896 Somfy Sonesse WT motors.

The roller blinds are managed using Somfy’s KNX 4AC Motor Controllers with local KNX override switches, enabling intelligent, zone-based control of shading in response to sunlight levels and occupancy conditions.

The integration with the building’s KNX management system allows shading to respond dynamically to changing environmental conditions, managing glare and solar heat gain while preserving natural daylight and the building’s iconic skyline views.

This intelligent facade management directly supports Parkline Place’s sustainability and workplace performance goals.

“Parkline Place presented an opportunity to deliver one of Australia’s largest integrated automated shading solutions, combining intelligent façade management and seamless building automation integration,” said Scott Johnston, General Manager Sales at Solis Products.

“Working closely with the main contractor CPB, project consultants and partners Somfy and Verosol, we delivered a Somfy KNX-controlled shading system that manages glare and solar heat gain while preserving natural daylight and city views, ultimately supporting the project’s sustainability and workplace performance goals.”

Brenton Bailey, Specification and Commercial Manager at Verosol, echoed the sentiment. “We are delighted to partner with Somfy and Solis Products on this project.”

“Working closely with Scott Johnston from Solis Products, we successfully navigated the various stages of the project, delivering both the base building automation and blind systems, as well as solutions for multiple fit-out areas.”

PROJECT DETAILS

Location 252 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW
Type of Building Commercial Office
Certifications 6 Star Green Star (Design & As-built rating), WELL Platinum, 5.5 Star Energy Rating
Developer/Owner Oxford Properties Group
Architect Foster + Partners and COX Architecture
Builder CPB Contractors
Manufacturer Verosol
End Product 4,550 Silverscreen roller blinds
Somfy Solutions 2,896 Sonesse WT motors, Somfy KNX 4AC Motor Controllers, Local KNX override switches
Control System KNX Building Management System
Installer Solis Products