As part of the Sydney CityGrid project, Ausgrid reveals plans for a new landmark building in the central business district (CBD) of Sydney, Australia, that will house a major electrical substation with an integrated commercial tower development.

The Sydney CityGrid project is Ausgrid's $800 million plan for the CBD electricity supply over the next decade and beyond. It involves constructing up to three new zone substations, replacing and upgrading the high-voltage cables, and constructing a new tunnel to link into it existing network of CBD cable tunnels.

Ausgrid and Investa invited five architects to submits proposals for the building's design. Fitzpatrick and Partners won the competition after a selection panel agreed their proposal was an iconic building that would add quality to the streetscape while meeting the unique site requirements.

The commercial tower above the new City East zone substation will be in the form of three cubic volumes, separated horizontally with horizontal offset. The main entrance to the tower will be an open sky lobby.

The Sydney CBD has 45% of Sydney's office space and 38,000 residents. A long-term approach was needed to address the city's future power needs, including how that infrastructure adds to public amenity.

Ausgrid has received concept approval for the development of the site from the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure and project approval for the demolition of the existing buildings on the site. The project application for the basement excavation and construction work is expected to be on public exhibition during December and January.

For more information, www.ausgrid.com.au.