Sectioned donut
Vacated a few years ago but seemingly well maintained the 3M Building has held a place in my consciousness since I was a lad.
On a busy corner of the Pacific Highway it has always acted as a significant milestone on journeys up the coast and indicated where I needed to turn.
Peter (Dunedoo) was able to tip me off to the following from the National Trust:
The former 3M Building at 950 Pacific Highway, Pymble is of high significance as the former purpose-built national head office administrative building for the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (Australia) Pty Limited (3M) company. It is a rare and highly competent example of a Post-War International building incorporating a curved façade. It is believed to be the first curvilinear building in this style on Sydney’s North Shore and one of a small group of high quality curved buildings constructed in the 1950s and 1960s in the International Style. Curvilinear buildings of the same era include the AMP Building at Circular Quay and the former Qantas Building, Chifley Square.
The design was developed by a well-known Sydney firm of architects Hanson, Todd and Partners, in association with 3M in the USA and survives in a highly intact, original state. The building was designed to be prominent and viewed in the round. The surrounding landscaped space, the placement of lawns, and even the car parking areas were designed to provide a lawn setting for the building, enhancing its striking sculptural form.
The choice of a curved façade was made to take advantage of the site at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Ryde Road/Mona Vale Road, Pymble, and the building was carefully designed and sited to achieve maximum exposure for the company along the Pacific Highway and to create a landmark building. While trees have partly obscured the building, it remains a highly visible and well-known landmark when travelling north on the Pacific Highway.
Sectioned donut
Vacated a few years ago but seemingly well maintained the 3M Building has held a place in my consciousness since I was a lad.
On a busy corner of the Pacific Highway it has always acted as a significant milestone on journeys up the coast and indicated where I needed to turn.
Peter (Dunedoo) was able to tip me off to the following from the National Trust:
The former 3M Building at 950 Pacific Highway, Pymble is of high significance as the former purpose-built national head office administrative building for the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (Australia) Pty Limited (3M) company. It is a rare and highly competent example of a Post-War International building incorporating a curved façade. It is believed to be the first curvilinear building in this style on Sydney’s North Shore and one of a small group of high quality curved buildings constructed in the 1950s and 1960s in the International Style. Curvilinear buildings of the same era include the AMP Building at Circular Quay and the former Qantas Building, Chifley Square.
The design was developed by a well-known Sydney firm of architects Hanson, Todd and Partners, in association with 3M in the USA and survives in a highly intact, original state. The building was designed to be prominent and viewed in the round. The surrounding landscaped space, the placement of lawns, and even the car parking areas were designed to provide a lawn setting for the building, enhancing its striking sculptural form.
The choice of a curved façade was made to take advantage of the site at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Ryde Road/Mona Vale Road, Pymble, and the building was carefully designed and sited to achieve maximum exposure for the company along the Pacific Highway and to create a landmark building. While trees have partly obscured the building, it remains a highly visible and well-known landmark when travelling north on the Pacific Highway.