Rubner Timber Engineering is proud to have contributed to one of Australia’s most significant contemporary civic projects, the newly opened Sydney Fish Market at the head of Blackwattle Bay.

Defined by its striking, wave-like roof form, the new Sydney Fish Market will become an instantly recognisable addition to Sydney’s waterfront, reshaping the city’s western harbour edge while creating a major new destination for locals and visitors alike.

At the heart of the project is the roof structure, the largest timber roof in the Southern Hemisphere, engineered and delivered by Rubner Timber Engineering. The exposed glulam roof system is both a defining architectural element and a demonstration of advanced timber engineering at scale. Designed to appear as a gently floating wave, the roof spans the bustling market below while allowing natural daylight to penetrate the upper levels. This integration of structure, form, and performance supports both the market’s operational needs and its public experience.

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The roof was pre-assembled on Glebe Island and transported to site by barge, a logistics strategy that significantly reduced road traffic, minimised disruption to surrounding precincts, and lowered the project’s construction-phase carbon footprint.

Sustainability was central to the roof’s design. Natural daylighting reduces reliance on artificial lighting, rainwater is collected for reuse, and integrated solar panels contribute to the building’s ongoing energy requirements. Together, these initiatives align with the NSW Government’s net-zero ambitions and the City of Sydney’s vision for carbon-neutral precincts.

Rubner Timber Engineering worked closely with the project team to deliver a timber solution that balances architectural ambition with long-term durability in a challenging marine environment, reinforcing timber’s role as a high-performance material for major public infrastructure.

The Sydney Fish Market redevelopment is a key catalyst in the broader transformation of Blackwattle Bay, returning the foreshore to public use, creating more than 6,000 square metres of new public domain, and improving pedestrian and cycling connections across the precinct.

Once open, the new market will be the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, supporting fishers and coastal communities across New South Wales while offering Sydney a contemporary market experience rooted in place, craft, and sustainability.

Rubner Timber Engineering is proud to be part of a collaborative project team delivering a new civic landmark that demonstrates what is possible when timber engineering, sustainability, and architectural vision come together at scale.

Project team: Multiplex, Infrastructure NSW, 3XN Architects (in association with BVN), ASPECT Studios, Northrop Consulting Engineers, TTW, Windtech Consultants, and Rubner Timber Engineering, among others.

Architecture & Design Team

Rubner-Theca

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