PROJECT FILES: When we talk about achieving a more sustainable built environment, there’s a tendency to focus on the new. But one of the most powerful climate and commercial strategies we have is the reuse and adaptation of what we’ve already built.
The Brewery at Central Park exemplifies this approach. Located on the former Carlton & United Breweries site, the late 19th-century building is part of one of Sydney’s most significant adaptive reuse precincts and a cornerstone of the $2 billion Central Park precinct. The site’s transformation has unfolded over two decades, underpinned by a masterplan co-authored by Tzannes and Cox Richardson, which prioritised public amenity, urban connectivity and sustainability, combined with commercial feasibility.
From its inception, we consciously embedded sustainability at every level of the project, from urban design through to the built outcomes.
In Stage 1 the integration of a tri-generation plant within the heritage building was the key sustainability intervention. The plant was designed to deliver low-carbon heating, cooling and electricity to 3000 apartments and 65,000 square metres of commercial and retail space across 14 buildings within Central Park.
Tri-generation systems are a form of decentralised energy that simultaneously produce electricity, heating and cooling from a single fuel source – in this case, gas. The system captures and repurposes waste heat from the electricity generation process, which would otherwise be lost, using it for climate control in the precinct.
Co-locating the plant within the precinct and harnessing waste heat means the tri-generation system avoids significant energy loss from transmission over distance. Environmental consultants and design engineers WSP have forecast that the two-megawatt plant could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 190,000 tonnes over its 25-year life – a substantial figure.
An innovative response
This integration of cutting-edge infrastructure with historic fabric required an innovative architectural response.
The new built form had to accommodate the plant’s technical demands while honouring the existing structure’s heritage value. Our studio developed a distinctive solution (with AR-MA), wrapping the cooling towers in custom zinc expanded mesh design that provides permeability for air flow while softening visual impact. Like fabric draped over a curved frame, the mesh changes character depending on light conditions and makes this vital piece of infrastructure a memorable expression of sustainability in the precinct.
The Brewery’s environmental contribution goes beyond its embedded technology. One of the most substantial sustainability benefits of the project is its retention of embodied carbon.
Demolition and building a new results in significant emissions – both through material production and the construction process itself. Adaptive reuse avoids these impacts and industry sources say that adaptive reuse projects can achieve significant embodied carbon savings. Retaining the structure also meant less demolition time and a shorter period of construction, contributing to the project’s overall feasibility.
Stage 2 – another step in the trajectory
Stage 2, recently completed for IP Generation and home to Afterpay’s workplace, continues this trajectory. We focused on upgrading the thermal and operational performance of the heritage building to suit contemporary commercial uses.
A key intervention was the replacement of the building’s original windows with double-glazed aluminium windows custom designed by Tzannes working with fabricator Distinct Aluminium Windows – significantly improving the thermal performance of the facade. These upgrades were essential to making the project viable as a commercial workplace, but they are also intrinsically sustainable, reducing reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
Operational sustainability also informed our broader approach to space planning. We maximised the building’s footprint to increase efficiency within the inherited structure. Strategic design planning enabled new circulation paths and vertical access, unlocking upper floors for commercial use without the need for significant new building mass.
A modest southern addition, designed within solar access constraints, created further viable commercial space while remaining sensitive to the building’s form, scale and impact to the surrounding public open spaces.
Our material and detailing strategy was equally deliberate. We prioritised long-lasting, low-maintenance materials that aligned with the industrial heritage of the site. New cuts through the masonry were left raw, and new materials were either seamlessly weaved in, or at other times, juxtaposed with the old to reveal the process of adaptation as part of the building’s evolving story.
Public realm and amenity were also central to the project’s ESD outcomes. A new through-site pedestrian link and plaza now connect the building with the surrounding precinct, enabling greater permeability and encouraging pedestrian activation. What was once an inaccessible, heavily polluted industrial space is now a lively, walkable destination.
The Brewery stands as a powerful argument for adaptive reuse. It is a reminder that sustainability is not just about systems and ratings but about doing more with what we already have. Embedding ESD at the core of design thinking can help shape cities that are enduring and environmentally responsible, resulting in an increase in sustainable precincts that will provide lasting cultural and commercial value.
The Project Files tell the stories behind the architecture, design and business case of interesting sustainable projects. If you want to take part in this, send a note to editorial@thefifthestate.com.au
This is a highly impressive and forward-thinking project. The article from Fifth Estate about The Brewery in Sydney’s Central Park clearly demonstrates how adaptive reuse can be a cornerstone of sustainable urban development. An historic brewery building, in collaboration with architects (Tzannes, Cox Richardson), incorporates state-of-the-art, low-carbon infrastructure while preserving its historic structure. Architecturally, this project beautifully balances the old and the new.
Absolutely love this! Should be applied to all projects, incl housing on suburban blocks, where existing structures are available. Reconfigure, extend, add. What are architects for if not clever progressive ideas and designs?