Title: Reinventing an Icon – The Redevelopment of Centrepoint

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Publication: CIA

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Date: 2/28/2011

Abstract:
Sydney Tower is one of the most iconic structures in Sydney. Constructed in the early 1970s, it consists of 17 levels of retail and office space, topped with the 300m tall Sydney Tower. In a grand scheme aimed at capitalising on its prime location in Pitt St Mall (one of the world’s most expensive retail precincts) Westfield plans to amalgamate neighbouring buildings to create a dynamic new retail development. This redevelopment will necessitate a significant change to the lateral stability elements of the building with the unchanged dynamic performance of the Heritage-listed tower being a major requirement for the new design. In order to review the dynamic response of the Tower and the new base building configuration, Finite Element Modelling (FEM) was carried out on a before and after situation. This enabled an accurate comparison of building behaviour changes (including occupant comfort) and aided in the design of the new structural elements to resist the redistributed loads. The detailed analysis of the existing structure has facilitated progress on rejuvenating the structure with minimal requirement for strengthening works.