Central Plaza is the largest office complex in Brisbane and one of the largest in Australia.
Designed by Dr Kisho Kurokawa, one of the world's leading architects, it dominates Brisbane's Central Business District and is the most distinctive feature on the city's skyline. Dr Kisho Kurokawa, in association with Peddle Thorpe Architects, achieved a design that is still regarded as one of Australia's truly most striking landmark buildings.
Central Plaza, on the corner of Queen and Creek Streets, is 48 storeys in height, with a six-storey banking chamber annex adjoining it.
The Central Plaza design was conceived in the image of a "newly discovered crystal". The roof and corners gives the appearance of having been cut by a keen blade. The walls are white ocean aluminium panels, scored with silver bands formed by the windows and spandrels. The reflective glass curtain walls on the splayed corners create a shimmering contrast with the other external structural elements.
Central Plaza has its own identity and a strong cohesive visual and spatial relationship. The unity of the overall design is reflected in the crystalline form, external materials and the immediate street environment. Central Plaza is oriented to take advantage of the magnificent views across the adjacent Brisbane River, the Story Bridge, the cliffs of Kangaroo Point and to the northeast and south-east reaches of the city. The exciting and unusual pitched roof profile gives the city skyline a very distinctive and dominant focal point.
The internal design of the foyer was derived from the forms and light patterns created by traditional Japanese lanterns. Polished and matt aluminium panels, lighting erects and an illuminated deeply coffered ceiling create a lattice pattern on the core walls. The granite floor design is based on the ancient oriental game of "Go" with inset black and white circular pieces. The lobby in Central Plaza provides a very impressive entry to the commercial office tower.