Sustainability Shines at Quay Quarter Tower

Quay Quarter Tower in Sydney's Circular Quay is more than just a stunning architectural masterpiece; it's a testament to innovative and sustainable building design. This iconic landmark combines aesthetics with eco-conscious engineering, setting a new standard for sustainability. In this article, we delve into the sustainable solutions that have contributed to this remarkable project's success.

Quay Quarter Tower's sustainability journey isn't just about words; it's backed by gold—the coveted 6 Star Green Star Office As Built v3 rating. This prestigious recognition places the building among the world's leading environmentally responsible structures, and it joins a collection of other prestigious awards, including the World Building of the Year and the International High-Rise Award.

The sustainability goals for the window shading systems were clear: reduce heat, eliminate glare, avoid PVC in the fabric, use eco-friendly and recyclable materials, and create a pleasant working environment, and every aspect of the project was guided by these principles.

One of the many standout features of Quay Quarter Tower is the roller shading system used within the building. The fabric selections coupled with the automation system used on the motorised blinds contribute to reducing energy usage within the building. The extraordinary feature of these blinds is that they’re made using Sea-Tex and CR Bloc fabrics, which are both PVC-free and recyclable, ensuring the fabrics are part of a circular economy. In addition to those features, Sea-Tex Non-Metalised fabric is made from 50% ocean-bound plastic saving in this case a total of 3.5 tonnes of plastic from ending up in our oceans.

While the motorised sustainable shading systems add a touch of eco-friendliness, their intelligence goes beyond aesthetics. The blind control system integrates seamlessly into the building’s BMS system and deploys the blinds based on a 3D model of the building which determines the location of the sun. This means that as the sun's path changes throughout the day, the blinds adapt incrementally to control the internal temperature, reducing the need for excessive HVAC system usage. This system isn’t just designed to block out the sun but to also allow natural light into the building, creating a pleasant working environment. To put control in the hands of its occupants, the system can also be overridden through local override switches, lighting control panels, or Crestron meeting room control tablets.

Furthermore, local manufacturing of the blinds significantly reduced the carbon footprint. With high-quality materials and craftsmanship, both the blinds and the solar control system are built to last, reducing the need for replacements for years to come.

Quay Quarter Tower is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation meets responsibility.

Climate Ready Fabrics is proud to have played a role in this pioneering project, contributing to its sustainable solutions and environmental stewardship.