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Dornoch Viewing Tower

Nestled into an existing A.B. Wilson-designed heritage residence, overlooking the Brisbane CBD, this lookout tower makes the most of its spectacular views, while complementing its historic site.
Project Details
Linking function & form

Describing their house as a ‘series of pavilions’, the clients wanted to find a way to unify the house through the addition of a viewing tower. JDA Co. was tasked with designing a three-storey viewing tower that linked the three levels of the house and its pavilions both functionally and through form.

Exploring designs & materials

We tested many geometries and materials with our clients before ultimately deciding on the pyramid roof, continuous steel columns and semicircular form.

Tower construction

The tower was designed as a kit of steel parts, entirely fabricated off site. It was craned and assembled on site to limit traffic disruption. Because of this modular construction process, it was paramount that the steel detailing was accurate.

The Dornoch Viewing Tower is a slender structure that unifies the many layers of the building and ties the aesthetic of the newer pavilions (master bedroom and pool) with the original heritage house. Within the tower itself there are three discrete gathering spaces to converse, play and take in the panoramic views of Brisbane City.

© JDA Co. 2025 / Site by Superminimal