WOCA’s Exterior Oil Enhances Barangaroo House’s Eco-Friendly Design

Barangaroo House is a striking three-story restaurant in Sydney’s harbor district. It’s less than five minutes from the Sydney Opera House, and its architecture is as distinctive as that world-famous landmark. The gently curving “bird’s nest” terraces of Barangaroo House are remarkable not only for their spectacular architecture but also for their eco-friendly design.

Barangaroo House marks the southernmost point of the Barangaroo precinct, one of the largest and most ambitious urban regeneration projects in Australian history. Its spectacular curved timber façade sits on the edge of one of Australia’s busiest seafronts and needs durable, reliable protection from the sun and salt air. What did the architects choose to treat and tint its iconic wooden construction? WOCA’s Exterior Oil.

Keep reading for a look at Barangaroo House, the elements that went into its design, and how WOCA plays an ongoing part in protecting this unique seaside structure from the hot Australian sun and Sydney’s salt sea air.

Sustainability and Style: How Barangaroo House Sets the Bar for Carbon-Neutral Architecture

Set on a 22-hectare harborside site, Barangaroo House is concerned not only with pleasing the palates of its high-profile clientele. It’s a flagship project of the world’s first carbon-neutral urban precinct. It’s an undertaking committed to leaving no trace, with zero waste emissions and water conservation at the core of its design strategy. By fully embracing these principles, Barangaroo House goes beyond architecture and contributes not only to Sydney’s cuisine and nightlife but also to a healthier community and planet.

Barangaroo House, featuring footpaths on three sides and both ornamental and edible greenery, proves that sustainability can be a driving factor in aesthetics, not just an afterthought. The unique visual appeal isn’t the only standout characteristic of Barangaroo House. What makes this building extraordinary is the careful thought put into every material used, a testament to the architects, Sydney’s Collins and Turner, and the supplier, Britton Timbers.

Accoya® Wood and Shou Sugi Ban: A Revival of Tradition in Modern, Sustainable Architecture

Accoya® wood, used for the exterior cladding of Barangaroo House, is a true innovation in sustainable architecture. It’s not your typical timber but begins as a fast-growing pine. Once felled at maturity and shaped into planks or beams, the pine undergoes a special modification process and the result is an exceedingly stable, sustainable, and durable wood.

To further bolster the longevity of Accoya® wood, the architects called on an ancient Japanese technique called Shou Sugi Ban. This procedure involves charring the outer surface of the wood with a hot flame, increasing the wood’s resistance to a variety of conditions, and ensuring the structure can stand up to the harshest of elements.

This charring technique not only boosts Accoya® wood’s already impressive durability but contributes to the restaurant’s distinctive aesthetic and brings an architecturally traditional concept into a modern and sustainable setting.

Sustainability with Style: The Role of WOCA Exterior Oil in the Barangaroo House Project

Barangaroo House isn’t just dressed in Accoya® wood. It’s bathed in WOCA Exterior Oil in Anthracite, one of the 14 designer colors in which this high-quality, sustainable, all-natural wood treatment is available. Exterior Oil not only protects Barangaroo House’s wooden exterior but also contributes to the sleek, distinctive appeal that sets the landmark project apart.

Due to the superior dimensional stability of Accoya® wood, this coating lasts twice as long as those on typical timbers, reducing the need for frequent, energy-consuming maintenance. This coating is yet another way that Barangaroo House is championing sustainability while still managing to look stunning.

Image source: WOCA Australia

WOCA Woodcare: Sustainability by Design

Barangaroo House symbolizes how an eco-friendly approach doesn’t exclude aesthetic achievement. It’s inspiring proof that sustainability and design can—and should—go hand in hand. These tools are at your fingertips, too. Whether you’re a professional contractor, a homeowner, or someone with a passion for eco-friendly living, WOCA has an environmentally conscious woodcare product sure to fit your needs.

For more information on sustainability, design, and how WOCA brings it all together, visit our blog. You’ll find more than just a comprehensive resource for sustainable wood care tips, but articles on design, green living, and why choosing WOCA is one of the best decisions anyone concerned with woodcare can make. Why wait? Discover how you can enhance your projects, big or small, through sustainable solutions that don’t compromise on style.