The high rise office won Building of the Year at the World Architecture Awards in Frankfurt last year
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T o understand the level of detail involved in the design and construction of the 50-storey Quay Quarter Tower, you need to know about the cab ride Dan Cruddace, project director from BVN, and project architect Fred Holt for 3XN took early one morning across Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“It was 2016 and we were trying to address solar radiance from the building,” Dan says. “We realised that for two hours from 6am from April to September, the reflectivity in one spot of the tower could potentially blind some of the drivers on the bridge.”
After their run across the bridge, they modified the design of a select number of windows on the upper block of what was best known to most Sydneysiders as the AMP building, now Quay Quarter Tower.
“We developed a system of tilting the glass on the upper block by 2.3 degrees which resolved that issue,” Cruddace says.
It’s a testament to the attention to even the smallest details of this complex build that appears as a series of five stacked ‘boxes’, each slightly pivoted to manage light, connectivity between floors and the challenging topography of the Circular Quay site.
Award-winning local architectural firm BVN were chosen to partner with Danish firm 3XN, who won the international design competition for Quay Quarter Tower, partnering with construction giant Multiplex, to transform the AMP building, constructed in 1976, while retaining as much of the original building as they could.
Now the building has been recognised for its approach to sustainable building practices, with the announcement of the International High Rise Award in Frankfurt overnight. Rather than demolish the building completely, as part of the construction process, 7500 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions by saving the southern side and core of the building.
Although AMP is the ‘anchor tenant’ for the building, several businesses, including Deloitte, have signed on to lease space, with the building expected to be fully occupied by mid 2023.
Cruddace says the team were very aware of the building’s place in Sydney’s story, in every sense.
“It’s at the front door of Sydney and Australia in terms of world precincts and connectivity to the harbour – it had that kind of gravitas,” says Cruddace. “It’s a once-in-a-generation project.”
Positioned in front of the historic Museum of Sydney, with the newly opened Quay Quarter Lanes to its left, visitors and office workers within are always aware of their neighbourhood, thanks to a skilful manipulation of levels and glazing so carefully crafted to control the worst of the summer sun from every angle that no blinds are required. Instead, occupants of each floor can appreciate views of nearby buildings – historic and contemporary – as well as through lines to the harbour and the iconic bridge.
“It’s an amazing site but the original building had so many problems with it in terms of layers of poor planning and permeability and there were real issues with the topography,” Cruddace says.
The rotation of the ‘boxes’ also allow for outdoor terraces populated with landscape design by ASPECT so that, even on the 30th floor, bees can be seen hovering over the flowering plants on the terrace.
If there is a recurring theme in this project, it’s connectivity. Every aspect of this building, from the market hall designed by UK designer Tom Dixon at street level, to the natural site lines to surrounding buildings and the harbour, to the stunningly sculptural spiral staircase that links several office floors, has been considered in terms of its relation to the other elements.
At the same time, spaces allow for intimate gatherings, private meetings or even solitude. It’s clear that at the heart of this project is the people who use it, whether they’re staff familiar with the layout or casual visitors to the retail spaces at street level.
Holt says it has raised the bar for what high rise buildings can and should be.
“The expectation previously for high rises was that they were just for providing efficiently stacked workspaces,” he says. “And they still have to be there. But users are expecting the experience to be engaging and to have spaces for collaboration and all those things that make us feel human.”
The team of BVN and 3XN have also won the design competition for Sydney Fish Market, an equally complex site due for completion in 2023.
As global demand for longevity treatments surges, Australia is fast becoming a player in this lucrative industry.
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There was a time — not so long ago — when the idea of an indulgent spa day was simply about relaxing massages and therapeutic facials, followed by a five-star lunch and perhaps a dip in a mineral pool. But the health and wellness industry has evolved rapidly, bringing with it an explosion of cutting-edge treatments designed to slow ageing, boost vitality, and extend healthspan.
Cold-water plunge pools, infrared saunas, and float tanks have taken over as the staples of health spas, wellness centres, and high-end gyms. Even real estate developments are tapping into this trend. But now, high-tech longevity treatments — from cryotherapy and IV infusions to genetic testing and advanced cellular therapies — are taking the wellness scene in Australia to unprecedented levels.
A burgeoning market globally, the health and wellness industry is estimated to have been worth more than US$5.6 trillion in 2022. Projections suggest this figure will grow to a staggering $13 trillion by 2031, with Australia steadily catching up to the US and Europe, where longevity treatments are thriving. High-profile figures like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Chris Hemsworth, and even Tom Brady are among the faces championing biohacking and experimental therapies, from stem cell infusions to blood transfusions.
The Rise of Longevity Clinics in Australia
One of the key players in Australia’s emerging longevity scene is Tristan Sternson, founder of Super Young. Sternson’s foray into the world of longevity treatments began as he approached 40 — a milestone that made him reflect on his health. As a former elite athlete, the transition from feeling invincible to feeling vulnerable led him to explore solutions that would help him reclaim vitality.
Initially frustrated by the lack of accessible health data locally, Sternson turned to overseas clinics for tests and treatments that painted a clearer picture of his biological needs. His experience inspired him to create Super Young, a Melbourne-based clinic offering evidence-based therapies tailored to individual needs. Services include cryotherapy, IV infusions, genetic testing, and biological age assessments. Memberships range from $85–$289 per week, while one-off tests start at $899.
Sternson emphasises the importance of personalised treatments. “I want people to start with the evidence side of it so they can really understand their own body and what treatments will work for them,” he says.
The Science of Longevity Medicine
Dr Karen Coates, an integrative medical doctor and a presenter for The Longevity Project at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, echoes Sternson’s emphasis on personalisation. She explains that longevity isn’t just about living longer but about living better — optimising health today while securing vitality for the future.
“One-size-fits-all approaches don’t apply when it comes to longevity,” says Dr Coates. “It’s about understanding your body’s genetic makeup and adopting personalised strategies to support health and longevity.”
At Gwinganna’s four-night Longevity Project retreat, guests can undergo gene testing, biological age assessments, and learn strategies to bridge the gap between chronological and biological age. Packages for the retreat range from $2915 to $5460.
Biohacking for All Budgets
Not all longevity treatments come with hefty price tags. Health coach Camilla Thompson points out that simple lifestyle adjustments — like cold showers to stimulate circulation or adding Celtic sea salt to water for better hydration — can supplement advanced therapies.
While advanced treatments like stem cell and peptide therapies are yet to gain widespread regulatory approval in Australia, Sternson is optimistic about their future. He envisions a time when longevity centres will be as common as gyms, giving clients the tools to monitor and manage their health with precision.
“What I’d love to see is health insurance companies get on board,” Sternson adds. “If they can give discounts for safe driving based on car data, why not for healthy habits based on glucose monitoring or other health indicators?”
As Australia continues to embrace longevity medicine, it’s clear the industry is poised to reshape not just health and wellness but how Australians approach ageing itself.
