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Building/Project Details

Building/Project NameQuay Quarter Tower Construction / refurbishment date01/04/2022 Building/Project Size89,000 sqm
Building/Project Typecommercial Address Sydney New South Wales 2000 Australia Region asia pacific

Performance Details

Resources and Circularity

Buildings or developments that illustrate the principles of the circular economy in an exceptional way.

Achieved Certification Level: WELL, Green Star Office Design v3 (6 Star rated), Green Star Interiors (6 Star rated) and NABERS Office Energy Rating, Base Building (5.5 Star rated)

Tell us your story

Designed and constructed to have a net-positive or at least a net-zero impact on the environment, rather than being demolished, the existing commercial skyscraper was upcycled, retaining more than 60 % of its existing structure and extending the assets design life by 50 years. In 2022, the project won the World Building of the Year award at the World Architecture Festival in Lisbon.

The project has been certified by WELL, Green Star Office Design v3 (6 Star rated), Green Star Interiors (6 Star rated) and NABERS Office Energy Rating, Base Building (5.5 Star rated).

It was developed in a collaboration between Architects 3XN (Danish), BVN (Australian), Structural Engineers BG&E and ADG, MEP/Façade Engineers, Arup, and Multiplex Construction.

Key challenges: 

  • to integrate the old structure with the new structure; 
  • to understand the original structure and to retain it; 
  • to integrating the new structure with the old structure and; 
  • to verify the complex design of the new model, the first of its kind in the world.
  • 66% of the building’s existing columns, beams and slabs and 95% of its internal walls were retained

Circularity outcomes

  • 50% of the building’s resources were reused from the existing building
  • The reuse of materials resulted in a total carbon saving of over 7,500 tonnes
  • The reuse of materials resulted in an estimated economic savings of $130 million.
  • The reuse of materials resulted in an estimated construction time saving of 12 months
  • A 4D structural model (digital twin in ETABS) was developed and calibrated during the construction to study the current and future structural behaviour
  • A comprehensive structural testing program was implemented to determine the strength of the existing structure
  • The health of the structure was monitored during the construction by the installation of various instruments and sensors to demonstrate the structural sufficiency of existing structure
  • The latest rejuvenation and sustainability techniques, improving solutions that could extend the buildings life by another 50 or 60 years

Submitter's Details

OrganisationGBCA

’’To achieve net zero targets we needed to work collaboratively with all stakeholder parties including architects, engineers and government. We needed to think out of the box, use the latest technologies and speed up our digital skills. Structural engineers are falling behind on digital technology, so we need to catch up, build momentum, and start using digital tools effectively in our structural design. I get excited every time I see a new development and a new way of design, because I see we are closer to achieving that great outcome”- Reza Hassini, BG&E