skyscraper

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One of the most highly-anticipated skyscrapers of our decade, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/australia-108-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a>, has just achieved yet another construction milestone, reaching its peak core lift height of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/australia-108-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank/height">100 levels</a>.

The <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/fender-katsalidis-architects">Fender Katsalidis</a>-designed building is the sister tower to its neighbouring Eureka Tower, which Australia 108's building slab height surpassed earlier this year.  

This remarkable construction feat undertaken by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/multiplex">Multiplex</a> required a series of new building techniques to be developed explicitly for the project due to the unique nature of its design. An example of this is the purpose-build platforms which were installed for builders to install the 12-tonne golden trusses on to create the striking Starburst feature.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/aspial-world-class-land">World Class Global</a> CEO David Ng explains that the unique golden feature will become an iconic hallmark of the Melbourne city skyline. 

<blockquote>
"The arrival of Australia 108's golden Starburst is a distinctive moment in the transformation of Melbourne's skyline for decades to come. I think many Melburnians will look back one day and struggle to remember a time when this golden star wasn't twinkling on our cityscape.”
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-11-28_at_3.30.47_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108. Credit: Aspial - World Class Land"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="876" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-11-28_at_3.30.47_pm.png?itok=TinNkvy-" title="Australia 108. Credit: Aspial - World Class Land" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108. Credit: Aspial - World Class Land</figcaption></figure><h2>Construction facts at a glance:</h2>

<ul>
<li>The Starburst is made up of 24 trusses (15 metres by 3.3 metres)</li>
	<li>Extensive groundworks took ten months to complete</li>
	<li>Bored piles reach 47 metres underground</li>
	<li>Interiors are slated for completion early next year</li>
	<li>The entire tower is likely to be completed mid-2020</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
"The installation of the Starburst is a key milestone in the delivery of this iconic tower, and we're delighted to have completed it safely and to an exceptional standard of quality. "It's a very proud moment for the entire Multiplex team to see Australia 108 and its Starburst now standing tall on the Melbourne skyline."
</blockquote>

Graham Cottam, Multiplex Regional Managing Director 

Currently, residents on lower levels of the tower have moved into their new homes, and have access to Level 11 facilities. These <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/australia-108-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank/amenities">amenities</a> include a fully-equipped gymnasium and pool, a golf simulator, movie theatre and dining room. 

<h2>Other updates:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Over the next few months, owners of the premium Cloud Residences (Levels 72 to 83) will be allowed to move into their homes. </li>
	<li>A new release of 3-bedroom Cloud Residences is now available for sale.</li>
</ul>
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Olivia Round

Australia 108 reaches 100th floor and achieves new construction milestone 

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The <a href="https://wp.architecture.com.au/news-media/national-building-agreement-welcome-now-focus-on-action/">Australian Institute of Architects</a> is calling for a fundamental overhaul of building regulation to improve compliance and accountability. 
At the moment, Australian regulation and building codes lack transparency and as we have seen in the recent events, do little to protect residents and homeowners. 
Currently, anybody can procure and construct an apartment building in Australia without evidence of education, experience or insurance held where previously, independent and rigorous checks would oversee the design, materials choice and construction to ensure the utmost safety and sustainability for residents. Over the years this compliance has decreased to prioritise cost-saving over quality and is a reflection of our quick supply and demand culture. 
Countries such as <a href="https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/">New Zealand</a> have a building code compliance that all builders must comply with even without building consent to ensure the safety and durability for everyone that uses them. New Zealand builders must abide by the technical guidance by the Building Code of 2004 with strict warnings and bans in place which could see the builder or developer paying a fine of up to $200,000 for which all buildings must focus on:

<ul>
<li>General Provisions</li>
	<li>Stability</li>
	<li>Protection from Fire</li>
	<li>Access</li>
	<li>Moisture</li>
	<li>Safety of Users</li>
	<li>Service and Facilities</li>
	<li>Energy Efficiency</li>
</ul>
Japan’s strict building regulations may be due to protecting citizens from the incredible amount of seismic activity the country experiences but are incredibly helpful when considering updating and strengthening Australia’s as bans on combustible building materials is much more closely regulated than here.

 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/neo_apartment_screen_peter_clarke-54.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="In early February 2019, Neo200 on Spencer experienced a balcony cladding fire up levels 21 to 27. Image by Hayball."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/neo_apartment_screen_peter_clarke-54.jpg?itok=PQvzB5Fo" title="In early February 2019, Neo200 on Spencer experienced a balcony cladding fire up levels 21 to 27. Image by Hayball." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>In early February 2019, Neo200 on Spencer experienced a balcony cladding fire up levels 21 to 27. Image by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>.</figcaption></figure>In late 2018, Victoria banned lethal flammable building cladding, which includes aluminium panels. 
The ban provides builders with a clear and strict guideline of materials that can and cannot be used in the construction of buildings above two levels high. 
The VBA, <a href="https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/">Victorian Building Authority</a> has put builders on notice, as they inspect the hundreds of at risk buildings in a statewide audit to crack down on non-compliant structures. 
Architects and developers design buildings and communities with the intent of enriching the lives of people and the environment in which it stands, therefore building codes in Australia need to match that intensity with strict regulation and inspection to ensure the well being of all people. 
In recent news, residents of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/australia-108-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> respond in panic due to hearing cracking noises, power outages and lift operating failures. Since the first settlers took residence in the soon to be 101 story tower in late 2018, there have been a slew of complaints regarding construction noise and construction defects within apartments such as windows not closing or opening due to the curved facade. 
These stories have now either been exacerbated by the media to take advantage of panicked citizens to incite fear and sell papers or forcing builders and developers to take accountability and be more transparent about their building practices.  
With articles published in The Age and Herald Sun displaying the latest apartment building disasters, people are on high alert in fear their building's too, falls under the same underegulated practices. What holds true to these statements is that resident’s voices deserve to be heard with their safety and quality of life at the utmost importance.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image_by_worzil_skyscrapercity.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Most updated construction image of Australia 108 by worzil of Skyscrapercity.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="547" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image_by_worzil_skyscrapercity.jpg?itok=wP1ehTRH" title="Most updated construction image of Australia 108 by worzil of Skyscrapercity.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Most updated construction image of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/australia-108-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> by worzil of Skyscrapercity.com</figcaption></figure>Multiplex denied any structural damages in a statement and said the building is bound to move slightly as it is still under construction and minor defects are quickly fixed with absolutely no risk to residents.  
These complaints of noise are common with residents within and surrounding high density skyscrapers under construction and are not permanent. 
A multiplex representative states that “all residents have access to the Multiplex onsite customer team and our onsite service team has been working closely with the residents to rectify these items in a timely manner.” 
A benefit to the exposure of towers such as <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/opal-tower-88-bennelong-parkway-sydney-olympic-park">Opal</a> in Sydney and its defects is that consumers and citizens are conscious and have opened up a dialogue with government about the loosened regulations and building codes our individual states hold. 
The next step is to hold builders accountable and to provide transparency with VBA and other councils alike in order to adhere to the highest quality of building and ensuring the safety of residents and communities. 
As work commences in Victoria establishing a ban on all flammable materials used in construction, a push for other councils and states is imminent and blatantly necessary. 
The Australian Institute of Architects are taking their demands of an industry revolution to VBA and multiple councils across New South Wales insisting on addressing the root of the issue, a culture and practice that has put time and cost above quality.  
This construction industry crisis facing Australia are systemic and it is crucial to make those steps forward to eradicate unlawful practices.

 

Read their latest article demanding industry revolution by clicking this <a href="https://wp.architecture.com.au/news-media/nsw-president-says-our-construction-industry-needs-nothing-short-of-a-revolution/">link</a>.
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Nick Dante

Australia called, we want our Building Codes updated and regulated

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Raine &amp; Horne has been appointed to market modern luxury apartments in WG Friendship Plaza, the tallest building on Fiji.
Aveet Goundar, at of Raine &amp; Horne Fiji, said WG Friendship Plaza, the contemporary luxury hotel, apartment, and commercial tower, is the first to combine residential and commercial functions.
“Merging residential and commercial space makes WG Friendship Plaza a milestone venture in Fiji in more ways than one,” Goundar commented.
The apartments will start from FJ$450,000 (A$298,000) for a studio unit to FJ$2.485 million (A$1.65 million) for a 226 square metre five-bedroom deluxe apartment.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/2/14/WG20Friendship20Plaza.20image202.jpg" alt="">
The tower offers a variety of uses. It includes a five-star hotel, international business offices, opulent apartments, high-end retail, restaurants, health and fitness studios, entertainment facilities, business conference rooms, and a full complement of hotel and residential amenities, including executive lounge and swimming pool.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/2/14/WG20Friendship20Plaza.image201.jpg" alt="">
The Suva skyscraper has been developed by a private Chinese investor on Fiji’s south-east coast. 
“As the largest and most advanced foreign investment project in Fiji, WG Friendship Plaza is a solid representation of Fiji’s enormous potential and the strength of its international relations.”
Goundar expects the luxury apartments will appeal to local and foreign buyers.
Raine &amp; Horne aso has three offices in Fiji including Suva, Nadi and Lautoka. 
“Significantly, these apartments are on a strata title, and as the WG Friendship Plaza sits within the city boundaries of Suva, there are no restrictions on foreign investors to buy a slice of Fiji’s most prestigious and iconic tower,” he said. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Apartments in Fiji’s tallest skyscraper hit the market

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An auction on July 29 will offer a prime Southbank site with a permit for a skyscraping residential tower.
The 54-56 Clarke Street, Southbank property occupies a prime corner site located within 100 metres of the Crown Casino complex.
It comes complete with a fully approved permit and plans for a landmark 74 level tower comprising 288 apartments.
According to Savills agent Clinton Baxter, who is marketing the property with Nick Peden, the sale by auction was aimed at providing total transparency for potential buyers together with an unconditional sale for the vendor within a defined timeframe.
"Developers can attend the auction with tremendous confidence knowing that they can bid for and buy a site poised for Melbourne’s next iconic project, one that, at 74 levels, will rise above all nearby towers and offer future occupants spectacular views in all directions,’’ Clinton Baxter said.
It will be hotly contested by local and off-shore developers..
The property will be auctioned onsite on Friday, July 29 at 11am.
 
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Southbank 74 storey tower permit auction offering

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A 64-storey mostly residential mixed-use tower on Melbourne's King Street that ran into trouble with the local council has been finally approved by the Victorian government.
The 431-apartment tower by developer Farinia will come up at 295-309 King Street and comprises two existing sites at the north-western corner of King and Little Lonsdale streets – an area earmarked by the Victorian government for high-density urban renewal, a media release said.
A council spokesman said it remained concerned the tower was "an overdevelopment of the site", had inadequate setbacks and would have a negative impact on nearby Nicholson Place, according to brisbanetimes.com.au. 
The council cautioned that the skyscraper could create a recess used by homeless people sleeping rough.
The 208-metre circular tower, inspired by Brancusi’s ‘Bird in Space’ 1923, will have one, two and three-bedroom types plus nine luxury penthouse apartments.
The original plan for the tower was for a 269-metre, 80 storey tower with 603 apartments, but the developer had to cut back on the number of levels to win approval.
Approval for the tower came under old planning rules in the CBD that have now been superseded by stricter controls, according to the Australian Financial Review.
One level of the project has been dedicated to communal amenities and shared residential activities.
At street level, the development will include both retail and laneway lobbies and cafes will spill out on to the street.  
The tower, with a facade of glass, comprises three sections: the base, an upper, flared section that offers views of Flagstaff Gardens and beyond, and a central transitional section that connects the base to the soaring form above.
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