“Timber is incredibly robust and long-lasting, particularly when used within the dry conditions of a building’s structure,” says Alec Tzannes, the architect behind a new 13-storey mass timber building set to rise in the heart of the Sydney CBD.
“There are many international examples of timber buildings lasting centuries, so if treated and maintained correctly, timber is highly durable.”
Alec Tzannes, fouding director of one of Australia’s leading architectural and urban design practices and Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney.
The mixed-use tower, to be located on the site of a car park at 4-6 York Street, adjacent to the heritage-listed former head of Westpac at 341 George Street, will be developed by NGI Investments, a family-owned development company by New York-based Tony Cheng. According to Mr Tzannes, the founding director of Tzannes – one of Australia’s leading architectural practices, the push to use wood rather than traditional steel-and-concrete construction is in response to demand:
“Tenants are increasingly seeking environmental and low-carbon spaces, and commercial landlords and developers are responding. Sustainable offices also have a ‘green premium’ and higher rental values.”
Under the approved plans, timber and steel used in the building will be able to be disassembled and reused in the future – with the new design in contrast to a scheme approved in 2019, where Candalepas Associates design tower was made of precast concrete, aluminium and marble.
Amy Dowse, also a Tzannes director, said the plans significantly reduced the carbon footprint during construction and end-of-life compared to a conventional concrete building: “Our International House Sydney and Daramu House projects proved to the Australian commercial market that timber is a viable low-carbon alternative to concrete and a highly desirable property investment,” Dowse said. “The 4-6 York Street [project] builds on the knowledge and experience we’ve gained from previous projects.”
Wood Central understands the new building will sit precisely and lightly over subterranean railway tunnels – not far from Atlassin’s new hybrid timber skyscraper rising fast over the Sydney Central Train Station. In addition, the load from the building’s western side would be transferred to a central core using a hybrid concrete and steel structure.
- To learn more about mass timber projects now rising across Sydney, including the Halo, a 55-storey skyscraper which once constructed will become the world’s tallest timber building, visit Wood Central’s special feature.