Parkline Place

Rising directly above Gadigal Station, Parkline Place is a 39-storey tower that brings together transport, retail and premium workplace spaces within one destination. Across four podium levels, the design called for a consistent material language that could bring warmth to high-traffic public spaces while meeting the demands of busy and human-centric workplaces.

The brief called for a warm timber ceiling that could adapt to different spaces while concealing extensive lighting and building services. Sculptform’s Click-on Battens was specified from Ground Floor to Level 03, with Dome, Block and Flute profiles creating a continuous architectural experience across the podium.

Product
Click-on Battens

Material
Timber

Applications
Feature Ceilings

Sector
Commercial

Architect
Foster + Partners

Location
Sydney, Australia

Completion
2024

Photographer / Videographer
Chistian Gilles

Meeting the Demands of a Transit-Integrated Workplace

Delivering a seamless timber ceiling across the podium of a major transit-integrated development demanded a system capable of balancing architectural ambition with technical precision.

The ceiling needed to:

Guide movement from Gadigal Station to the commercial lobby with one continuous design language.
Integrate lighting and services without disrupting the seamless timber ceiling.
Respond to changing spaces while maintaining a consistent architectural identity across four podium levels.
Enable long-term maintenance with modular battens and integrated access.
Perform in a high-traffic environment without compromising durability or finish.

Sculptform's timber Click-on Battens system provided the flexibility, precision and adaptability to meet each of these demands across one of Sydney's most significant new buildings.

One Timber Ceiling, Multiple Expressions

A consistent material palette was carried across the multiple levels using timber Click-on Battens, while the batten profiles changed to suit the scale and character of each space.

Dome and Flute profiles form the primary ceiling language across Ground Floor and Level 02, finished in a Pale Grey Rubio tint. At Level 01, a Block profile defines the central lobby, while Dome and Flute continue through the surrounding spaces. On Level 03, alternating Dome and Flute profiles create greater depth and shadow, with a darker Flute batten introducing subtle contrast.

Chamfered ends were applied selectively across the installation, a face cut on the underside of each batten that softens the ceiling edge and changes how light grazes the timber surface, contributing to the refined quality of the ceiling at close range.

From Concept to Built Reality

Sculptform collaborated with Foster + Partners throughout the design development process to refine the ceiling system. Prototypes were developed and reviewed, enabling the design team to assess batten profiles, spacing and timber finishes in a physical setting. Multiple iterations were tested before the final specification was confirmed.

Working closely with the design team, Sculptform also assisted in evaluating a range of materials for the void behind the battens, balancing warmth, visual depth and technical performance. Powder-coated perforated aluminium panels were ultimately selected, delivering the refined finish, acoustic performance and depth required for the project.

The Click-on Batten's solution Sculptform provided really met the aesthetic intent that we were striving for, but also had the opportunity to profile the battens and make them unique for this project. I think the collaboration was really brought to life with Sculptform proactively providing small-scale samples. This really helped us sell the vision to the owner of the building and the occupier.

Muir Livingston

Foster + Partners

Engineered for Service Integration

Behind the timber ceiling is a highly coordinated services layer. Sprinklers, smoke detectors, access panels, wireless access points and other building services all needed to be integrated while preserving the clean visual rhythm of the battens.

Sculptform’s Click-on Batten system allowed these elements to be concealed and coordinated within the ceiling layout. Where maintenance access was required, pivot access hatches were integrated into the batten design.

This was especially important for a building above a major transport hub, where long-term access, reliability and maintenance needed to be considered from the outset.

A Ceiling Built for Integrated Lighting

The ceiling was designed to integrate lighting while maintaining a clean architectural finish. No lighting elements project below the underside of the battens, ensuring a continuous timber surface. Batten sizes were carefully aligned with the lighting fixtures so timber and lighting read as one cohesive detail.

The modular Click-on Batten system also allows lighting to be adjusted after installation. Battens can be removed and reinstalled without affecting the surrounding ceiling. This makes it easy to add or remove temporary lighting without altering the structure.

The structural columns follow the same approach. Instead of interrupting the ceiling with standard trims, CNC-machined timber rings wrap around each column and extend the ceiling language across them. Lighting concealed within the column void creates a soft halo effect, turning the columns into integrated features of the ceiling design rather than breaks in it.

Learn how to detail integrated lighting

Award-Winning Design

Parkline Place has received international recognition for design excellence across architecture, interior design and sustainable development.

World Design Awards 2026 - Silver, Interior Design Commercial
2025 Prix Versailles - Special Prize for Interior, Passenger Station Category
2026 Urban Taskforce Australia Development Excellence Awards - Commercial Development
2026 CVU Awards - Best Tall Building, Oceania - Parkline Place

Supporting a Workplace Designed Around Wellbeing

Parkline Place achieved WELL Platinum Certification v2 pilot, recognising its focus on health and wellbeing across indoor air quality, material selection, active lifestyles and public transport connectivity.

As part of this broader vision, Sculptform's Click-on Batten system brings warmth, natural materiality and visual comfort to the building's arrival and workplace spaces. The use of 100% PEFC Certified timber aligns with the project's focus on responsibly sourced materials and long-term environmental performance.

From early design development through to installation, Sculptform worked closely with Foster + Partners to refine every aspect of the ceiling specification. The result is a ceiling that performs technically and reads architecturally as a single, resolved material language across four podium levels.

If you are working on a project that demands the same level of precision, Sculptform's team is ready to support you from concept through to installation.

A Timber Ceiling Shaping the Future of Workplace

ProductClick-on BattensMaterialTimber

ApplicationsFeature Ceilings

SectorCommercial

ArchitectFoster + Partners

LocationSydney, Australia

Completion2024

Photographer / VideographerChistian Gilles

Meeting the Demands of a Transit-Integrated Workplace

One Timber Ceiling, Multiple Expressions

From Concept to Built Reality

Sculptform Prototypes

Engineered for Service Integration

A Ceiling Built for Integrated Lighting

Award-Winning Design

Supporting a Workplace Designed Around Wellbeing

Product Specifications

Feature Ceiling

Product

Material

Species

Profile

Mounting

Contact our team to discuss your next project.

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