28 June 2021
David Rowlinson
25 King is the result of a collaborative effort between Bates Smart, Impact Investment Group (IIG), Lendlease and Aurecon. The building has set a new precedent in timber building, moving away from concrete and steel seen often within commercial projects.
The tower combines the innovations of sustainable cross-laminated timber (CLT) and the ‘Queenslander’ vernacular to create the tallest timber commercial building in Australia across ten storeys. A range of cafes and restaurants double as the ‘third space’ for workers within the building, as well as creating a welcoming entry to the building that can be accessed by the general public.
The timber palette coupled with a range of amenities creates a contemporary studio environment that balances wellbeing with creative collaboration space. The building’s verandah maximises connections with the surrounding landscape, while taking advantage of the views offered by the building’s location. The orientation of 25 King and large glass area utilised upon the south elevation maximises natural light, while sunshades on the other facades reduce energy consumption; further reducing the buildings carbon footprint.
25 King has received a range of certifications including a carbon neutral certification through Climate Active, a 6.0 Star NABERS Energy Rating and a Platinum WELL Rating.
Article first appeared in Architecture + Design
David hails from Lancashire, England and has lived in Australia since 1994. He studied Architecture at Sheffield University and also has an MBA from Macquarie University and a Master of Marketing from UNSW. Prior to joining Planet Ark in 2016 David was Marketing Manager then CEO of a major Sydney-based manufacturer of modular carpets used in all commercial building applications. His proudest achievement was the development of an industry-leading environmental sustainability agenda, including the unique Earthplus product reuse program.