Turning Old Into New
John Hill
8. November 2022
Photo: Screenshot
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art speaks with architect Kim Herforth Nielsen of Copenhagen's 3XN about Quay Quarter Tower, the recipient of the International High-Rise Award 2022/23.
The 49-story, 206-meter-tall office building is the transformation of an existing high-rise in Sydney, effectively the "upcycling" of a 1970s tower. "It is not only the first high-rise we have done," Nielsen explains, "but it is also the biggest transformation of a high-rise into a new high-rise that has been done in the world until now. We live in a world where sustainability is a big word, and transformation, of course, is very much part of that." Not only does the new skyscraper turn old into new, the design by 3XN twists the stacked volumes to make the tower fit into its context, provides views for its occupants, and creating a striking element on Sydney's skyline. Watch the 7-minute film below.