Heritage of the future

Case Study

Sub Station No. 164

Sitting unused for decades, Sub Station No. 164 is the ambitious revitalisation of two adjacent historic Sydney buildings. Now one of Sydney’s most innovative office developments, Sub Station No. 164, previously relegated to the too hard basket by other developers, sets a benchmark for heritage buildings of the future.

Built’s vision was to restore and breathe new life into the buildings’ industrial features while floating a seven-story sculptural glass office space in the air above, preserving the original heritage fabric and creating grandeur in one.

Built was uniquely positioned to make this a success, leveraging every one of their multi-disciplinary capabilities at every stage and working alongside formidable partners, to unlock value and deliver a one-of-a-kind development.

Sub Station No. 164 is an innovative commercial and cultural space that’s built for today and tomorrow.

Value: $180m

Client: Built Development Group/Nuveen

Architect: fjc studio

Completion date: 2021

“Built drew on their considerable expertise in development, construction, fitout, heritage and sustainability management to create an award-winning building – the perfect partner for Nuveen’s global investment scale and local, client-focused approach.”

Louise Kavanagh, Chief Investment Officer & Head of Funds Management APAC, Nuveen

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The New Way Forward

The New Way Forward

Retaining heritage integrity to repurpose the past

As heritage and refurbishment experts, Built preserved large volumes of heritage material, including floors and walls, while exposing as much of the buildings’ original features as possible.

Using the original timber warehouse floors – which have a unique timber truss detail on the underside – as permanent formwork for the new concrete reinforced slabs, Built was able to meet today’s fire standards, reduce materials and create a beautiful architectural feature.

The project also retains the original 12-metre-high, ground-floor Machine Hall – a vast and impressive space in its own right – which will become a world-class destination once it has been repurposed.

 

Solving complex problems to make century-old buildings fit for the future

With an agile and collaborative team, Built is adept at problem-solving across all areas – whether navigating limited access and space or gaining planning approval to build on top of two heritage listed buildings in a CBD.

Built had to excavate 12 metres below this site to provide structural support for the new 60-metre office space floating above, introducing concrete plunge piles with ground anchors welded to existing building columns to transfer the loads.

Built’s sustainability team took up the challenge to improve the sustainability outcomes of this 1909 spirit warehouse and 1930s electrical substation over conventional construction.

By retaining as much of the building’s heritage as they could, and reducing the need for new materials, structures and finishes, we were able to reduce the project’s upfront carbon footprint (A1-A5) by 24%.

During construction, the site used 100% green power onsite, diverted 90% of waste material from landfill and achieved a 97% recycling rate nearing completion – while at the same time, adopting a raft of health and wellbeing standards, to boost the health of all tenants.

Natural light has been optimised wherever possible and circadian rhythm lighting suspended over workstations. Terraced gardens, the use of a Moss product by Nordgröna as acoustic wall lining and a breathing wall of greenery all work to bring nature indoors.

View a full sustainability tour of SubStation No.164

“One of the most exciting challenges about this project was how to bring the old and the new together. We set out to create a state-of-the-art workplace that’s always moving forward, while embracing the authenticity of these remarkable heritage buildings.”

Richard Francis Jones, fjc studio

 

Delivering a total solution

Built development, construction and small works teams worked collaboratively to deliver a building like no other. The development boasts not only an impressive, curved glass façade but a world class interior, projected to achieve a 6 Star Green Star and Platinum WELL v.2 Pilot rating.

As both the developer and builder on the project, Built was able to use its experience and capability in complex construction and heritage refurbishment to unlock the many challenges and constraints of the site that had previously been unsurmountable to other developers.

Built’s experience in working across all aspects of built form enabled them to meet and exceed expectations, delivering a careful adaptive restoration project that cantilevers a new glass-façade structure independently over the top of beloved heritage structures anchored below.

“They said it wasn’t possible, that it couldn’t be done. We were willing to fight for an idea where all stakeholders came out winners. An idea with the potential to lift people’s spirits and leave a positive legacy on our city. We’re proud to have added such an extraordinary building to Sydney’s skyline.”

Brett Mason, Managing Director & CEO, Built

The health and wellbeing benefits of this building will include:

Impact

Achieved:


21% reduction in embodied carbon footprint (A1-A5)

100% Operational GreenPower

96.6% Recycling rate

6 Star Green Star As Built rating

6 Star Green Star Interiors rating

Platinum WELL v.2 Pilot Interiors rating

WELL Health and Safety rating for Interiors & Base Building

6 star NABERS Energy & 4.5 star NABERS Water ratings

6 Star NABERS Energy tenancy rating

Carbon Active Carbon Neutral Certification (Built Head Office)

Let’s work together