Australia's tallest prefabricated tower, 323 La Trobe Tower, 'topped out' yesterday, with the final pieces trucked onto site and craned into place. With construction of the tower now complete, only interior fit-out work remains.  

The 133-metre, 44-level La Trobe Tower apartment building uses a new prefabricated construction system developed by Hickory Group and designed by ROTHELOWMAN. 

The new construction system is expected to dramatically improve construction times and reduce site disruptions, and also has benefits for the environment, workers and consumers, and creates new opportunities for the construction sector. 

The tower is now officially Australia’s tallest prefabricated building at 133 metres, or 44 storeys.

“With this project we have proven that there are faster, safer and less disruptive ways to build,” says Hickory Managing director Michael Argyrou.

The project is expected to lead to more widespread use of the prefabricated construction method, with plans for three similar Melbourne projects by Hickory Group already in the works. 

“It's an entirely new way of thinking, with designers working much more closely alongside the construction team than in a traditional build,” said Stuart Marsland, principal of architect ROTHELOWMAN. 

“The new system can be applied retrospectively to buildings which have already been designed,” he said.

Hickory installed much of the high-rise structure during extended hours construction shifts, trucking in the oversized prefabricated components at night to avoid disrupting tram and vehicle traffic on busy La Trobe Street. 

A quiet electric crane and strict noise control measures were put in place and monitored throughout the eight-month night work period to ensure neighbouring residents were not disturbed. No noise or congestion complaints were received during the period. 

Hickory estimates the new structural building system has allowed the project to be completed more than eight months faster than traditional methods. 

“We hope the success of this tower will lead to more widespread adoption of our fast-track building method and provide a best-practice benchmark for future high-rise developments to follow,” Argyrou said.

The construction has also created new jobs for former automotive sector workers transitioning into the construction industry. Several ex-GM Holden employees worked on the design and manufacturing stages. 

The building is host to 206 one and two bedroom apartments, and a common area on level 15 with a lounge, outdoor terrace, kitchenette, and gym.

Argyrou will present at this year’s prefabAUS conference on behalf of Hickory Group, describing the recent work on the La Trobe Street Tower for the prefabrication industry. 

“Australian innovation is dramatically changing the construction landscape,” said prefabAUS CEO Warren McGregor.

McGregor said, the new approach “enabled the 44 level structure to rise at a rate of two floors per week – double the industry benchmark – coupled with enhanced worker safety, 90 per cent waste reduction and reduced traffic congestion."

The annual prefabAUS conference will be held in Sydney this year from Monday 10 – Wednesday 12 October. 

See also:

Prefab conference to discuss benefits of off-site construction

World's first carbon positive pre-fab home