Located in Sydney, Australia, the Quay Quarter Tower has been constructed by repurposing an old, declining tower, marking it as the world's first recycled skyscraper. Approximately two-thirds of the materials used were already available on site, showcasing a significant advancement in sustainable architecture.
The Quay Quarter Tower emerged from the remnants of the AMP Centre, originally built in 1976. After facing renovation challenges in 2010, the decision was made to completely replace the structure. However, the project team recognized that demolishing the 45-story building and constructing a new one would result in substantial CO2 emissions.
Following a tender process initiated in 2014, the architectural firm 3XN and multidisciplinary engineering company BG&E took charge of the project in 2018. The renovation not only preserved over 95% of the internal walls but also retained 66% of the original structure, adding nine additional floors to reach a total height of 216 meters with 54 stories.
This innovative approach has successfully avoided approximately 6.1 million tons of carbon emissions and significantly reduced both construction time and environmental impact. Collaborating with the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI), the team aimed for a target of 228 kg of CO2 emissions per square meter of habitable space. In 2022, the tower was evaluated at 226 kg per square meter, achieving its sustainability goals.
Recognized with a six-star rating for sustainability by the Green Building Council of Australia, the Quay Quarter Tower not only modernizes the Quay Quarter area of Sydney but also preserves its urban landscape, setting a precedent for future architectural projects focused on environmental responsibility.