35 Barangaroo Avenue
Barangaroo NSW 2000
Australia
Overview
Barangaroo House is located at a pivotal point, acting as an entrance point to the Barangaroo Precinct when approached from the pedestrian areas of King Street Wharf, Cockle Bay Wharf and Darling Harbour to the south. Collins Turner won the project through a design excellence competition run by Lendlease and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority. The complex is set to house a restaurant by celebrity restauranteur Matt Moran.
-33.8655814, 151.2015461
Structure
The design choice was made to create a free open floor plan, allowing for future flexibility. The structural cantilevers required a complex and innovative concrete waffle slab design. The slabs included several layers of post-tensioning, interwoven much like a cable-knit jumper, to allow two-dimensional spans, distributing load back to the raking structural columns.
Exterior
Barangaroo’s exterior cladding is its most unique quality. The unique system uses Accoya timber, which is cured in a vinegar based solution, and then charred using the traditional Japanese Yakisugi technique. The charred layer provides a natural weather resistance and chemical free preservation. In this case, the dowel was sanded back and coated with layer of oil finish. The timber was presented in dowels that were steam bent, then fixed with a custom system to create a double curved cladding. The custom fixing comprises an extruded aluminium bracket that conceals the fixings and creates consistent spacing between the 42mm dowels. The result is a perforated sculptural appearance that has high performance and high aesthetic. The rich, dark appearance is a result of the charred timber.
The team at Collins Turner went through many iterations in the charring and steam bending process, determined to get the perfect result. Preparation began early, as the dowel was part of the design solution even before the form. The timber is a welcome novelty in the business area, dominated by glass and metal. The imperfect nature of timber softens the distinct form, and creates an elegant, textural facade.
