SKELETON TO SKIN
SKELETON TO SKIN
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The Darling Quarter project
includes a twin nine-storey
building structure with a common
basement, located in the heart
of Sydney in a low lying coastal
location. These features and the
aspirations of the project team
imposed many challenges and
complexities on the structural
design of the building. The first
design challenge was the basement
structure which is located below the
water table and above an abundance
of existing in-ground services, such
as major water easements, Telstra
mains and Energy Australia Major
cable routes.
In order to bridge these existing
services, the basement structure
incorporates large complex
transfer beams and walls which
span up to twenty-two metres.
The post-tensioned floor plates of
upper levels span about fifteen
metres between columns,
allowing for large open plan and
flexible spaces for the proposed
office and commercial use. The
structural design of the floors
achieved more than a four metre
cantilever span at the facade and
atrium edges which provides
uninterrupted views for occupants
as well as allows natural light into
internal spaces.
The project’s glass architectural
roof, which shelters the large
atrium, was artfully designed in
slender steel members. The series
of unsupported cantilevered stairs,
pods and bridges and exposed
glass lift structures are a perfect
example of how Arup’s structural
design met the architectural intent
of clear ‘floating’ structures in the
atrium, encouraging interaction
and a sense of community.
The building achieved a ‘Six Star
Green Star’ rating, as outlined
in the Green Building Council of
Australia guidelines.
In order to contribute to this
rating, the concrete used in the
structure of the two buildings
was designed to contain large
amounts of recycled content
as cement and aggregate
replacement. The Arup structure
team ensured that the design
of the building elements could
accommodate the unique features
of this ‘green’ concrete.
“
Working through the design of the north and
south atrium roofs with FJMT and Lend Lease
was one of the most satisfying and memorable
moments on the project. With a number of
suitable schemes agreed, work was done with
the construction team to develop a fabrication
and erection methodology. With this work
complete a final scheme was fully developed
and integrated with all the services including the
integration of an internal building maintenance
unit. The result is stunning yet functional.”
Peter Macdonald
Principal, Sydney
Arup
SKELETON TO SKIN
