58-658: The Sirius building is an apartment complex in The Rocks district of Sydney , New South Wales , Australia. Designed for the Housing Commission of New South Wales in 1978–1979 by commission architect Tao Gofers, the building is a prominent example of Brutalist architecture in Australia. It also has striking repetitive geometries in reaction to the Japanese metabolist architecture movement. Notable for being
116-684: A bid for the building, the foundation announced its intention to assemble a bid. Various public protests supported the inclusion of the building on the State heritage Register, including a petition, a crowd funded legal challenge, whose organisers aim to have the Minister's decision annulled; a rally; and a green ban announced by the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU), under which no company associated with union will be involved with any proposed demolition of
174-411: A growing database that currently contains over 700 Brutalist buildings. Importantly, #SOSBrutalism is a platform for a large campaign ‘to save our beloved concrete monsters’. The buildings in the database marked red are in particular jeopardy. There are few Australian entries in the project, but Sirius is at the top of the list of the world's endangered Brutalist buildings. A decision to sell the building
232-606: A number of heritage-listed sites, including: At the 2021 census , 629 people were living in The Rocks. 46.4% of people were born in Australia with the next most common countries of birth including England at 7.6%, China (excluding Special Administrative Regions (SARs) and Taiwan ) at 5.1%, New Zealand at 2.7%, the United States of America 2.7%, and India 2.5%. 65.5% of people only spoke English at home with
290-651: A reputation for IFM. In Spain , the organization formed a Committee for Spain under the leadership of American diplomat and U.S. Ambassador to Spain in 1965–67 Angier Biddle Duke (1915–1995). At the invitation of UNESCO in the 1970s, IFM became involved in architectural conservation in Nepal , where the organization adopted the Mahadev temple complex in Gokarna , in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley . The 14th-century temple building
348-599: Is included on the World Monuments Fund 's 2018 list of monuments at risk, with the listing calling "on the government of New South Wales to respect the recommendation of its heritage experts and allow its citizens to maintain an important social legacy". In July 2017, the Land and Environment Court ruled the decision by the state’s then-heritage minister Mark Speakman not to place the Sirius public housing complex on
406-536: Is so named because the earliest churches in Australia were formed on this site, including St Patrick's (Roman Catholic), St Philip's (Anglican) and Scots Church (Presbyterian) The significance of Church Hill dates back to the time of Governor Arthur Phillip , who mandated compulsory Sunday church attendance for all convicts, until they rebelled and burned down the area's first church in 1798. The area gained greater prominence as Church Hill on Wednesday 1 October 1800, when incoming Governor Philip Gidley King had
464-549: The Australian Labor Party . Anthony Albanese described the Sirius building as "not just a place people call home, but a symbol of inclusion", while the local member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek called the government's decision to sell "heartless". The S.O.S Foundation suggested that Sirius could be saved if Lendlease were to purchase the building and develop some of its apartments for social and affordable housing. When Lendlease announced they would not be making
522-1121: The Château de Chantilly in Chantilly, France; the ghost town of Craco , Italy; many structures in Rome , including the Temple of Hercules , Santa Maria Antiqua , and the House of Augustus ; several sites on Easter Island ; various sites at ancient Luxor in Egypt; Lalibela in Ethiopia; San Ignacio Miní in Argentina; the ancient Maya city of Naranjo, Guatemala ; the Segovia Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain; as well as 25 projects in Venice , Italy, over 20 years. WMF has also participated in projects in
580-627: The Sydney Harbour Bridge approaches. In the north it extends to the southern base of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in the east to the shoreline of Circular Quay and George Street , in the south to Jamison Street (thus including the area known as Church Hill), and in the west to southern approaches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Western Distributor overpass. The Rocks was established shortly after
638-586: The Sydney Opera House , a World Heritage Site , as well as "impinge on the Rocks' low-rise heritage, wharves, sandstone buildings and Victorian terraces". In July 2016 Speakman announced that the building would not be heritage listed "despite a unanimous recommendation by the Heritage Council", citing the loss of financial return as a consequence of listing as the reason. The Sirius building
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#1732794044220696-699: The preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage sites around the world through fieldwork, advocacy, grantmaking, education, and training. Founded in 1965, WMF is headquartered in New York , and has offices and affiliates around the world, including Cambodia , France , Peru , Portugal , Spain , and the United Kingdom . In addition to hands-on management, the affiliates identify, develop, and manage projects, negotiate local partnerships, and attract local support to complement funds provided by donors. The International Fund for Monuments (IFM)
754-631: The Green Ban campaigner who helped save The Rocks from redevelopment in the 1970s. Previous NSW chapter president of the Australian Institute of Architects, Shaun Carter, is chairman of the Save Our Sirius Foundation. Carter has argued that any decision about the building should take account of its social, cultural and environmental significance. A set of "S.O.S." lights flashed over The Rocks and Circular Quay from
812-662: The Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage, the Samuel H. Kress Foundation , and Tiffany & Co. The Samuel H. Kress Foundation's relationship with the organization dates almost to the inception of the International Fund for Monuments. In 2009, WMF agreed to share approximately 2,000 images of architecture, sites, and monuments from around the world to be made available by Artstor . WMF has partnered with Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design ,
870-434: The Rocks is a partly gentrified area, but still contains a significant proportion of Housing Commission properties, and there is still a significant problem of urban poverty and street crime in this district. As housing stock becomes dilapidated, government policy is to sell the now extremely valuable public housing units to private owners, in the expectation that they will restore the properties. The Sirius Building and
928-576: The Sea is held there every year by Australian Water Polo with the Australia men's national water polo team take on the International All Stars. Susannah Place Museum is a historic house museum situated in The Rocks. It is a block of four terrace houses that was built in 1844 and had domestic occupants until 1990. It is a documentation of the urban working class community in The Rocks. The terraces in various states of modernity show
986-482: The State Heritage Register was “invalid and of no legal effect.” The court determined the government’s claim of financial loss did not constitute “financial hardship” and that the minister failed to consider the building’s heritage significance in his decision. The court ordered the Minister for Heritage ( Gabrielle Upton at the time of the ruling) “to make a decision either to direct or not to direct
1044-848: The United States, including Ellis Island , Taos Pueblo , Mesa Verde National Park , the Mount Lebanon Shaker Society , and many sites in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast . Every two years WMF publishes the World Monuments Watch (formerly the World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites ). Since the first list was compiled in 1996, this program has drawn international attention to cultural heritage sites around
1102-596: The area, visiting historical buildings such as Cadmans Cottage and Sydney Observatory , and the Dawes Point Battery , which was the first fortified position in New South Wales . A passenger boat terminal and the Museum of Contemporary Art is also situated beside the Rocks area. The precinct can also be accessed by rail, as it is within walking distance of Circular Quay station . Water Polo by
1160-480: The associated "Save Our Sirius" protest group was formed to protest relocation of its residents. Overall, The Rocks continues to be an important part of Sydney's cultural landscape, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city's rich history and vibrant contemporary scene. "Church Hill" is located in the southern part of The Rocks, sometimes identified as the northern part of the Sydney central business district . It
1218-532: The building was finished unpainted. Anecdotally, unit 74 of the Sirius building became somewhat of an unofficial Sydney landmark; its sign displaying ‘One Way! Jesus’ clearly visible to Harbour Bridge commuters. The sign was in place for around 10 years, although the owner of the sign, Owen McAloon, and his motivations to spread a Christian message remained generally unknown. The Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) in Frankfurt has included Sirius in #SOSBrutalism,
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#17327940442201276-438: The building's facade at sunset by Katherine Lu. The Rocks, Sydney The Rocks is a suburb, tourist precinct and historic area of Sydney 's city centre, in the state of New South Wales , Australia. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour , immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district . The formal boundaries of the suburb named The Rocks cover the western side of Sydney Cove east of
1334-498: The building. On 28 June 2019, the NSW government announced that Sirius would be refurbished rather than demolished. The NSW Housing Minister , Melinda Pavey , announced that the building had been sold for A$ 150 million to Sirius Developments Pty Ltd, which was owned by private investment firm JDH Capital, subsequently identified as a shell company for Sirius Developments, set up for the deal by Jean-Dominique Huynh, and apparently without
1392-630: The buildings remain, but the majority of the residents were moved into the Sirius apartments in the so-called 'people's plan'. The terraces and town houses they used to call home are owned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA), who receive rent from the tenants living in the building. Sirius is among the few quality examples of the Brutalism style in Australia, demonstrating the style's objective of ethical design based on social concerns, as well as its focus on
1450-419: The built form are being undertaken by JDH Capital, BVN Architecture , 360 Degrees Landscape Architects and Kelly Hoppen (Interiors) with construction by Richard Crookes Construction. Branding and marketing collateral was prepared by Hoyne. In 2017, a book by John Dunn, Ben Peake and Amiera Piscopo documenting the story of the building and its residents was published by Piper Press. The cover features an image of
1508-531: The colony's formation in 1788. It was known as Tallawoladah by the Cadigal people. The original buildings were first traditional vernacular houses , of wattle and daub , with thatched roofs , and later of local sandstone , from which the area derives its name. From the earliest history of the settlement, the area had a reputation as a slum and the arriving convicts' side of town, often frequented by visiting sailors and prostitutes. After November 1790, many of
1566-400: The evolution of occupation over 150 years The Rocks, as it was in 1873, is the setting for the time-slip portion of the novel Playing Beatie Bow . 33°51′35″S 151°12′32″E / 33.85985°S 151.20901°E / -33.85985; 151.20901 World Monuments Fund World Monuments Fund ( WMF ) is a private, international, non-profit organization dedicated to
1624-683: The former ADGB Trade Union School in Germany, which was inscribed as part of the Bauhaus World Heritage Site in July 2017. Each year, the World Monuments Fund's Hadrian Gala honours "Champions of Conservation" for their passionate commitment and extraordinary contributions to preserving and protecting the world's shared cultural heritage. Some of WMF's long-term partners have included American Express , Knoll ,
1682-683: The foundation stone laid for St Philip's Church, which subsequently he proclaimed one of Australia's first two parishes in 1802 (the other being St John's in Parramatta ). The site where St Patrick's Church currently stands is where the Roman Catholic Eucharist was first preserved in Australia, in May 1818. Celebrations for the bicentenary of this occasion were held in St Patrick's Church on Sunday 6 May 2018. The Rocks has
1740-677: The history of the Citadelle , which was used for educational purposes in the United States. Through donations and matching funds, WMF has worked with local community and government partners worldwide to safeguard and conserve places of historic value for future generations. To date, WMF has worked at more than 500 sites in 91 countries, including many UNESCO World Heritage Sites . WMF has worked at internationally famous tourist attractions, as well as lesser-known sites. Among highly prominent projects, starting in 1990, are many temples at Angkor , Cambodia , including Preah Khan and Phnom Bakheng ;
1798-528: The inhabitants were also Aboriginal . In 1823, the district had a population of about 1,200. During the late nineteenth century, the area was dominated by a gang known as the Rocks Push . It maintained this rough reputation until approximately the 1870s. By the early 20th century, many of the area's historic buildings were in serious decay. In 1900, bubonic plague broke out, and the state government resumed areas around The Rocks and Darling Harbour , with
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1856-641: The intention of demolishing most of the original buildings, re-developing them as high-density residential dwellings. In February 1971, a group of local residents formed the Rocks Residents Group to oppose the plans. They felt that the new dwellings would result in increased rents, which would force out the traditional residents of the area. The residents' group requested a green ban from the Builder's Labourers Federation , who had become increasingly active in preventing controversial developments over
1914-401: The intention of demolishing them and rebuilding them. More than 3,800 houses, buildings and wharves were inspected and hundreds demolished, but the continuation of these plans were brought to a halt due to the outbreak of World War I . During the 1920s, several hundred buildings were demolished during the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge . Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority , with
1972-774: The last resident on 1 February 2018. The Sirius building is set to welcome new residents in July 2024, five years after its contentious sale and subsequent redevelopment. The S.O.S. (Save Our Sirius Foundation) was formed by people and organisations campaigning to save Sirius and its residents and is supported by the National Trust of Australia , the Australian Institute of Architects , the Millers Point Residents Action Group, Friends of Millers Point, Millers Point Public Housing Tenants Group, Unions NSW , CFMEU, and Jack Mundey ,
2030-521: The listing of the Sirius Apartment Building [...] according to the law". In October 2017, Upton again refused to list Sirius on the state heritage register, noting "In my view, [Sirius] is not a landmark worthy of State heritage protection." The last remaining resident was Myra Demetriou, who in 2017 was 90 and legally blind. Efforts to move the last residents were made to accommodation described as "unsuitable". Demetriou moved out as
2088-466: The long-term protection of the ancient city. In 2006, with the support of the Knoll furniture company, WMF launched "Modernism at Risk", an advocacy and conservation program for Modernist architecture . Through this initiative, the biennial World Monuments Fund / Knoll Modernism Prize was established in 2008. The inaugural prize was awarded to Brenne Gesellschaft von Architekten for the restoration of
2146-486: The many threats to Iraq's cultural heritage resulting from the occupation and from a long period of political isolation and conflict. At the ancient city of Babylon , WMF has launched a program with the support of the United States Department of State to develop a comprehensive site management plan, help local officials prepare a nomination for World Heritage listing, and establish site boundaries for
2204-418: The next most common languages spoken at home including Mandarin 4.9%, Cantonese 4.1%, Spanish 2.7%, Japanese 1.9%, and Italian 1.6%. The most common religious affiliations included No Religion at 39.4%, Catholic at 21.0%, Anglican at 8.4%, and Buddhism at 4.1%; a further 7.9% of respondents for this area elected not to disclose their religious status. The close proximity to Circular Quay and
2262-409: The only high rise development in The Rocks, Sirius housed 79 apartments with one, two, three or four bedrooms, generally with single storey apartments to two and three storey walk ups. The complex was built to rehouse displaced public tenants after a controversial redevelopment of the Rocks during the 1960s and 70s. From 2015, the Sirius building was at the centre of controversy over plans to remove
2320-602: The only high school in the United States with a four-year comprehensive historic preservation curriculum. In May 2022, WMF announced a collaboration of digital work for the 2024 reopening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 's African, ancient American, and Oceanic art galleries. The digital project "aims to bolster the understanding of several historic sites in sub-Saharan Africa", in particular sites that have been minimally explored by Western museums. In 2023, World Monuments Fund and Global Heritage Fund announced
2378-515: The previous four years. By 1973, the union had imposed the ban, and after discussions with the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority, a 'People's Plan' was developed. By October 1973, it appeared that the redevelopment would proceed as originally planned, using non-union labour. For two weeks, demonstrations by local residents and unionists followed, with numerous arrests being made. Liberal Premier Robert Askin
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2436-459: The requisite experience delivering a project "of a similar scale". It is intended that the building will be redeveloped into 76 apartments, plus retail and commercial spaces. The proceeds of the sale are expected to provide social housing for around 630 people. On release $ 435 million worth of apartments were sold by developer JDH Capital in one weekend at a rate of $ 118,000 per square metre. The major 2022—2023 refurbishment and significant changes to
2494-661: The residents, sell off the building and possibly redevelop the site, with opponents of the plans seeking to secure its protection as a heritage building. Following the NSW Government's decision to refuse heritage listing in 2017, against the advice of the Heritage Council of New South Wales , the building was put up for sale. In 2018 the building won the Enduring Architecture Award from NSW Australian Institute of Architects. The complex
2552-589: The sites that make up the list. In 2010 the panelists were Christina Cameron , Alfredo Conti, Pierre-André Lablaude, Jeanne Marie Teutonico, and Christopher Young. WMF also operates a number of special initiatives that transcend individual projects at specific sites and address broader themes in heritage preservation. Following the Iraq War , WMF created the Iraq Cultural Heritage Conservation Initiative to address
2610-562: The subsequent expulsion of foreigners from Ethiopia. After Ethiopia, Gray's interests shifted to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in Chile . Gray formed the "Easter Island Committee", with Norwegian ethnographer and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002) as its honorary chairman. Gray arranged to have one of the monolithic human figures known as moai exhibited in the United States. With the help of anthropologist William Mulloy (1917–1978), Gray selected an 8-foot-tall (2.4 m), five-ton head, which
2668-508: The top floor of Sirius when they were first installed to coincide with the exhibition S.O.S. Save our Sirius on 2 November 2014. Resident McAloon's sign was briefly replaced by lights flashing S.O.S. to the Harbour Bridge traffic, but this was soon 'confiscated' by Housing NSW and McAloon 'relocated' by Housing NSW. Other supporters of the building include Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore , state member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich , and
2726-518: The truthful expression of materials, function and structure. Designed by Housing Commission architect, Tao Gofers, Sirius was based on Gofer's other major project for the Housing Commission: The Laurels, a public housing development in southern Sydney's Sans Souci . Like that development, Gofers’ original plan was to finish the building in a white colour to match the nearby Sydney Opera House , but due to budget constraints,
2784-487: The views of the iconic Harbour Bridge , as well as the historic nature of many of the buildings, makes the Rocks very popular with tourists. It features a variety of souvenir and craft shops, as well as many themed and historic pubs . The Rocks Market operates each weekend, with around 100 stalls. During the week, shopping options include galleries exhibiting Australian artists as well as Australian clothing and Australian opal shops. There are numerous historic walks through
2842-847: The world threatened by neglect, vandalism, armed conflict, commercial development, natural disasters, and climate change. Through the World Monuments Watch , WMF fosters community support for the protection of endangered sites, and attracts technical and financial support for the sites. A detailed list of each event is available in the corresponding year: 1996 , 1998 , 2000 , 2002 , 2004 , 2006 , 2008 , 2010 , 2012 , 2014 , 2016 , 2018 , and 2020 . The sites are nominated by international and local preservation groups and professionals, including local authorities. Sites of all types, including secular and religious architecture, archaeological sites, landscapes and townscapes, and dating from all time periods, from ancient to contemporary, are eligible. An independent panel of international experts reviews and selects
2900-634: The young organization to participate in the conservation of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia . In 1966 Gray secured the support of philanthropist Lila Acheson Wallace (1889–1984), who offered $ 150,000 to the International Fund for Monuments and UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for this project. The project continued until the Communist overthrow of Haile Selassie I and
2958-468: Was an organization created by Colonel James A. Gray (1909–1994) after his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1960. Gray had conceived of a visionary project to arrest the settlement of the Leaning Tower of Pisa by freezing the soil underneath, and he formed the organization in 1965 as a vehicle for the implementation of this idea. Even though this project did not materialize, an opportunity arose for
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#17327940442203016-403: Was built to rehouse public tenants who had been displaced after a controversial redevelopment of the historic Rocks suburb during the 1960s and 70s. The building housed many of the original residents who fought for their right to remain in the area during the famous Green bans , whose purpose was not to retain heritage buildings but rather to retain the working class community in The Rocks. Many of
3074-686: Was exhibited in front of the Seagram Building in New York and in the Pan American Union Building in Washington, D.C. An important chapter for the organization started with its involvement in the broad international effort led by UNESCO for the protection of the city of Venice , Italy from catastrophic flooding. After the extremely high tide of 4 November 1966, the city, including the historic Piazza San Marco ,
3132-421: Was in the midst of an election campaign, and used the protests as a means of conveying his law and order message to voters. However, the green ban stayed in place until 1975 when the state union leadership was overthrown and was ultimately successful, as can be seen in the buildings that survive today. Instead of demolishing The Rocks, renovations transformed the area into a commercial and tourist precinct. Today
3190-514: Was inundated for more than 24 hours. The International Fund for Monuments set up a "Venice Committee", with Professor John McAndrew (1904–1978) of Wellesley College as chairman and Gray as executive secretary. On the part of the committee, appeals were made to the American public, and local chapters set up in American cities. This early initiative led to the formation of the independent organization Save Venice in 1971. These efforts helped establish
3248-532: Was made in 2015 by the Baird Coalition government , thereby placing it under risk of demolition due to a lack of any heritage protection. The NSW Heritage Council recommended heritage listing for the building in 2016, but this was denied by the Heritage Minister, Mark Speakman . The Land and Environment Court of New South Wales was advised in a hearing that redevelopment would affect views of
3306-401: Was surveyed, rotten timbers were replaced, and the foundations were strengthened. Sculpted wooden architectural elements were painstakingly cleaned of layers of a motor oil coating that had been applied annually for protection. Also at the request of UNESCO, IFM launched a project for the preservation of the Citadelle Laferrière , a large mountaintop fortress near Milot , Haiti . The site
3364-408: Was the keystone of a defensive system constructed in the early period of Haitian independence to protect the young state from French attempts to reclaim it as a colony. Local artisans reconstructed wooden and tile roofs over the grand gallery and batteries using traditional carpentry methods, and consolidated the stone galleries of the fortress. IFM also sponsored a traveling exhibition and a film about
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