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The York & Co Boutique refurbishment revitalizes the historic York & Co building. Designed by SJB Architecture, it combines Victorian and Art Deco elements with modern design. AUGRC’s UHPC terracotta battens, made with Excel UHPC premix, add both style and functionality to the building façade, achieving a perfect balance of historic elegance and contemporary performance.

Project Information：

Architect: SJB Architecture

UHPC Panel Manufacturer: AUGRC

UHPC Batten dimension: 5075 X 300 mm

UHPC Premix: Aalborg Excel 
 

UHPC Terracotta Battens
UHPC Terracotta Battens
UHPC Terracotta Battens
UHPC Terracotta Battens

History of Building

Built in 1886, the York & Co building at 32-34 York Street in Sydney's central business district originally served as a grand warehouse for Robert Reid & Co. Known for its impressive street presence and high ceilings, it was hailed as a "magnificent warehouse" when it first opened. Over the years, the building's exterior was altered, with a major update in 1964. Later, a five-story commercial building with a 1950s façade was added at 36 York Street. The building’s long history and architectural importance made it a prime candidate for an ambitious refurbishment.

Design Concept of Building Refurbishment

The refurbishment of York & Co focuses on blending historical charm with modern functionality. Designed by SJB Architecture, the project seeks to balance the building’s Victorian and Art Deco features with contemporary design elements. The goal is to preserve the heritage character while incorporating modern amenities, creating a flexible and inspiring workspace. A standout feature is the full-height glass façade, which highlights the building’s original structure while allowing natural light to flood the interiors, ensuring a harmonious mix of old and new. The vertical batten on the new façade delivers a building that is responsive to its environment.
 

UHPC Terracotta Battens 

Made with Aalborg Excel® UHPC premix, the terracotta battens were selected for their aesthetic appeal and shading functionality. UHPC is renowned for its durability and low maintenance. Produced by AUGRC, these battens were reinforced with Glass fibers for enhanced compressive, tensile, and flexural strength. The terracotta colour complements the surrounding Victorian architecture, providing a refined texture. The slim and lightweight design also simplified installation and improved structural efficiency.

“It was our first experience of using Aalborg Excel® UHPC premix, and the material has been crucial to the overall facade system, providing a final touch that enhances both its aesthetic appeal and functionality. The material’s excellent self-leveling and fast-flowing properties allowed us to seamlessly mix with pigments and fibers, resulting in exceptionally smooth surface finishes. The support from Cementir’s innovation and sales team of Aalborg Portland Australia, with their technical expertise and reliable supply, has been invaluable. Excel UHPC has proven to be outstanding in terms of tensile strength, shrinkage control, and durability. It was the perfect choice for combining the building’s historical features with modern performance standards,” said Milad Sayyadi director of AUGRC.

The York & Co refurbishment project successfully combines historical elegance with modern conveniences, using advanced materials like Excel® UHPC premix, developed under Cementir’s InWhite Solution. This project is a prime example of how past and present can be harmonized to create a striking contemporary building while preserving its rich heritage.
 

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