The Remarkable Revival of Quay Quarter Tower

In the heart of Sydney's Circular Quay, Quay Quarter Tower stood at the crossroads of its life cycle. Instead of demolishing the building, the architects and designers at 3XN & BVN embraced a bold vision to repurpose and recycle the building. The result was a stunning display of sustainable design and a beacon of hope for a greener future.

The brief for Quay Quarter Tower was clear: breathe new life into the building while ensuring its relevance for the next 50 years. The design strategy embraced best practices in sustainable design, focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. This commitment to sustainability became the driving force behind every aspect of the project.

The unwavering dedication to sustainability led to impressive results. By retaining 65% of the building's existing floorplates and structure, along with 98% of its original structural walls and core, over 12,000 tonnes of embodied carbon were saved. This amount is equivalent to more than 60,000 flights from Sydney to Melbourne.

With the aim of reducing heat gain and regulating temperatures within the building, solar shading played a crucial role in the design. The selection process for blind fabrics was meticulous, with a focus on sustainable materials. The base building blind fabric chosen was Sea-Tex non-metallised, from the Climate Ready Fabrics Range, crafted from 50% recovered ocean plastic. By using this fabric alone, a significant 3,435 kilograms of plastic waste was prevented from ending up in the ocean. Additionally, the blockout fabric, CR Bloc which was chosen from the Climate Ready Fabrics range, was not only recyclable but also PVC-free, further contributing to the project's sustainability goals.

To optimize energy consumption, automated blinds with sun tracking capabilities were installed in the building. These blinds intelligently adjusted to reduce heat and glare, enhancing the building's energy efficiency and contributing to its green star rating.

Quay Quarter Tower's transformative journey has set a new benchmark for sustainable building design on a global scale. Its success serves as an inspiration for urban regeneration projects worldwide, urging designers and developers to follow suit. By embracing sustainable practices and prioritizing environmental responsibility, we can pave the way towards a truly sustainable future.