Commercial – Broadway Shopping Centre (The Historic Grace Brothers Building)
Sector: Commercial / Heritage
Location: Broadway Sydney, 1 Bay St, Glebe NSW 2037
The Brief
As one of the most famous “gateway” buildings to the Sydney CBD, the Broadway Shopping Centre is a landmark of immense heritage significance. n2 was engaged to resolve a critical issue: the existing roof drainage system was non-compliant with modern Australian Standards, leading to frequent stormwater ingress during heavy rain.
The Challenge
Working on a heritage-listed structure requires a delicate balance between modern safety and historical preservation. The project presented several “needle-threaded” constraints:
- Compliance Gap: The lack of existing overflow devices meant the building was vulnerable to catastrophic water damage.
- Site Restrictions: Site constraints were significant, including limited opportunities for structural penetrations and strict material restrictions to maintain the iconic appearance.
- Discharge Management: Water discharge points were constrained, requiring a highly creative hydraulic redesign.
The n2 Outcome
n2 designed a comprehensive new gutter, downpipe, and overflow system fully compliant with AS3500.3. Our team successfully delivered a design that addressed every site constraint, ensuring the building is now weatherproofed against Sydney’s harshest storms while protecting its famous aesthetic for years to come.
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