CTBUH Member in Focus: Bates Smart

As part of Member Appreciation Month, this week we’re featuring one of Australia’s oldest architectural firms and one of our most enduring partners: Bates Smart, a CTBUH member since 1981, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne. Celebrating 170 years of operation in 2023, the practice was founded by Joseph Reed and has been involved in the development of many well-known buildings in the region, including ICI House (renamed Orica House in 1998), which was the first building to break Melbourne’s height restrictions, rising above 18 floors. It is also the current home of their Melbourne office.

The ICI House (now named Orica House) designed by Bates Smart & McCutcheon. 
© Tom Roe

Although the company and its name have evolved throughout the years, Bates Smart steadfastly continues to push boundaries and thrive under strong and innovative designers. Known for transformational design that improves the way people live, the company is widely recognized as a global leader and innovator; recently, it was awarded a CTBUH 2022 Award of Excellence in Renovation for 55 Southbank, the first cross-laminated timber (CLT) extension project in Australia, and a CTBUH 2021 Award of Excellence for Best Tall Building under 100 meters for 25 King, a timber over concrete structure with high sustainability ratings.

25 King, Brisbane, is a timber hybrid structure that received a 2021 CTBUH award for Best Tall Building under 100 meters. © Tom Roe
55 Southbank, Melbourne, added 10 levels to an existing steel and concrete commercial building using cross-laminated timber (CLT). © Peter Clarke.

 

Current CTBUH Leaders at Bates Smart:

Philip Vivian, Managing Director, Sydney | CTBUH City Committee, Sydney, Board Member

Karen Wong, Studio Director, Melbourne | CTBUH Australia Chapter, Board Member | CTBUH City Committee, Melbourne, Board Member 

Learn more about Bates Smart here.