We are closed on Nov 22 from Noon to 3PM for the Company Thanksgiving Celebration.

Why demolish when you can upcycle a historical landmark? Let’s welcome the world’s first “upcycled” skyscraper.

The AMP Center in Sydney, Australia, was once the city’s tallest building, and it has been a landmark since its construction in the 1970s. But after all those years, the owners decided that it was dated both from a visual aspect and an energy point of view. 

The problem is that tearing down old skyscrapers comes with a huge environmental impact. And considering that the skyscraper was structurally sound, it would be a colossal waste of resources. 

So, the owners decided to take a greener approach to make it bigger and more energy-efficient. And, the brain behind this masterpiece is 3XN.

CNN has some interesting details about the upcycle plan.
statement
“Standing at 676 feet tall, the vastly expanded 49-story skyscraper, now known as Quay Quarter Tower, retained more than two-thirds of the old structure, including beams and columns, as well as 95% of the original building's core.”

This should be a great example for cities around the world where there is a constant need for more commercial and residential space. 

Upcycling should not just be a priority for consumer goods, but taking this approach to infrastructure is an important way to conserve resources.

Chris is one of GreenCitizen’s writers who has been a long-time advocate of individual responsibility when it comes to the environment. He shares GreenCitizen's passion for making the world a better place every day of the year.

Subscribe to
our newsletter