Nepean Structures has provided structural steel and project management solutions for a striking high rise project in Sydney’s CBD.
The new building, 8 Chifley Square sits amongst the mostly grey and somewhat sombre buildings along one of the busiest streets in the City as a heart-lifting splash of bright red, blue and yellow in jazzy shapes that zigzag up to the sky, forming a very striking piece of architecture.
The principal architect on the high rise project is Sir Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners who worked in collaboration with Australia’s Ed Lippmann. Rogers created the Pompidou Centre in Paris, Lloyd’s of London and even the Millennium Dome, all of which are considered contemporary architectural masterpieces in international design fora.
Chifley’s unusual shapes recall Rogers’ Bowellism, particularly the girders and external stairs, which can be recognised in the metallic, modern façade of the Lloyd’s tower. Inside, the bright and airy atrium reveals an unexpected, suspended glass foyer, which then provides access to one of seven elevated spaces called ‘villages’, all separated by single floors yet completely accessible.
The building at 8 Chifley is a Nepean Structures project, part of the privately owned engineering, mining services and industrial manufacturing organisation Nepean in Australia.
Nepean Structures provided structural steel and project management solutions including in-house fabrication and erection to the high rise project, working alongside building owner Mirvac for 18 months to complete the structure ahead of schedule.
The largest blue mega beams supplied by Nepean Structures weigh a massive 37 and 30 tonnes, each measuring 18.5 metres long, while the red mega braces weigh approximately 9 tonnes each.
Due to the location of the building in the heart of Sydney CBD, the installation windows for the 37 tonne blue monster beams were just 3-4 hours including all reo cage connections, and barely an hour for the 30 tonne beams.
Nepean, through their Mastermesh brand, also supplied over 3,000m² of perforated metal panels cladding the two external high rise stairs on both façades. The shapely, modern design of the fire escapes is complemented perfectly by the bright yellow paint on their supporting structures, all fabricated by Nepean at their extensive Narellan facility.
Nepean coincidentally was also involved in the construction of Chifley’s neighbour, the Deutsche Bank building with its distinctive triangle-shaped steel frame top. Nepean supplied all internal structural steel and lift shafts.
The building will also be one of the greenest buildings in Sydney when completed, having already achieved a 6 Star Green Star Office Design Rating and is committed to achieving a 5 Star NABERS Energy Rating as well.
Nepean Structures is extremely proud to have helped create such a colourful and vibrant new landmark for Sydney’s CBD.
It is due to be officially opened in October 2013.
