Wood & Grieve Engineers contributed to a recent research project commissioned by the City of Perth. The C Grade Office Case study research involved local architect Cameron Chisholm Nicol, property market consultancy Y Research and our multi-disciplinary team of engineers. The research found the reuse of ageing C-Grade buildings within Perth CBD as a feasible option for future adaptive opportunities. Eric Le Meur, structural project engineer said our teams assessed the key technical considerations for structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, sustainability and acoustics services, when upgrading or converting a hypothetical existing building. “Using the five proposed adaptive options these buildings …

Since 2007 WGE has been holding the Perth to Busselton Bike ride. Around 40 employees, clients, family members and friends take to the road for this 250km ride, which takes around 12 hours to complete. The organisers of the event stress that it’s not a race and that they all ride as fast as the slowest rider, however there’s a little sprint at the end for those with a competitive streak. Each year the organising committee decides on a charity to raise funds for. In 2016 they raised almost $3500 for the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation. The ride …

WGE’s Perth office has supported CLCRF since mid-2015, raising an astounding $13,000 in just 12 months. The team have been very creative in their fundraising efforts, with events including themed morning teas and social nights, boot camp group fitness, a spin-bike smackdown competition, selling chocolates and workplace giving. The funds will be used to progress new research to investigate tailored cancer treatments for infants and newborns. In July 2016, CLCRF Young Foundation Ambassador visited WGE to accept the cheque for $13,000 and talk to our team about how the funds will be used.

Our Perth engineers are volunteering their time with Australia’s Bridge to deliver the All Abilities Play Space at Beaton Park, Perth. Local community groups have been working hard to raise funds and awareness, with Australia’s Bridge providing the link to skilled engineers who can bring the project to life. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017 at the picturesque Nedlands foreshore. The project gives our engineers the opportunity to use their skills to deliver a project that will have a big impact on the children and families who will enjoy the Play Space. WGE have provided pro-bono services to bring …

WGE engineers in Melbourne volunteered their time and design skills to assist the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) in Footscray. The project consisted of dividing the existing art room into two separate spaces, giving the women of the ASRC a private space from which they could run their small businesses. Construction was completed in mid-2016. WGE provided pro-bono services from multiple disciplines to ensure the vibrant space for women was able to be created. The project received funding from the employees at WGE, free equipment from Mitsubishi and free labour from AC Goulding Air-Conditioning.

Hummingbird House is the first children’s hospice in Queensland and only the third in Australia. Hummingbird House provides short break stays, family wellbeing services, creative therapies, and care at the end of life, for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. WGE is proud to be a construction partner on this project, providing a building design for a significantly reduced fee. The building serves a dual purpose in offering a welcoming child-friendly home environment as well as a high level of paediatric care and safety.

WGE’s Hock Chua will be presenting at the 12th Airfield Engineering and Maintenance Summit in Singapore. The summit brings together global airport operators and aviation authorities to share their expertise on airfield pavement engineering and maintenance. Hock is WGE’s Airport Lead and will be presenting a case study on his previous work at Port Macquarie Airport. The runway and airport were expanded (whilst remaining fully operational) to handle larger aircraft and significantly increase passenger numbers. The project was completed in a very tight timeframe and went on to win Regional Airport of the Year in 2008. For more information about …

Congratulations to winners at the QLD round of the Master Builders Awards. Congratulations to all involved in the large number of excellent projects recognised at the award ceremony held in August. Three projects with WGE involvement were recognised, including: 1 William Street, Brisbane by Multiplex Constructions – 2017 Project of the Year Hummingbird House by TF Woollam and Son – Best Health Facility up to $20 million Robina Town Centre Market Hall Redevelopment by ADCO Constructions – Best Commercial Building over $50 million Brisbane Office Manager, Johan Sadie said the 2017 winners demonstrate the high standard of construction excellence in …

Two experienced structural engineers have recently joined the Sydney team to strengthen and expand the offering for local clients. Michael Ruescher has moved from WGE’s Perth office and brings ten years of experience working with WA’s biggest developers. Michael specialises in large scale and medium to high rise residential and commercial building design. Michael says he is looking forward to new challenges, working on projects in the Sydney market. “There are so many new and exciting projects in the pipeline for Sydney and I look forward to working with local clients to provide effective structural solutions,” he said. Christopher Jennings …

WGE’s Perth team have provided input into a new report by Architects Cameron Chisholm Nicol outlining six potential adaptive re-use concepts for the CBD’s C-grade office buildings. Perth is currently facing an oversupply of office space, with over 60% being C-grade stock. These buildings are generally older than 20 years with out-of-date finishes and services. The report includes creative ideas to revitalise ageing buildings and bring more people into the city. Adapting existing buildings can offer a cost-effective solution when compared with demolition and re-build scenarios. The WGE team included: Ralf Boepple – Hydraulics Phillip Cook – Sustainability Alex Deluca …

WGE have once again been accredited as Aon Hewitt Best Employer, making it six years in a row - and seven years in total. Announced on Thursday 27 July, the award reflects WGE’s continued focus on engaging employees with an inclusive and rewarding workplace culture. WGE’s high levels of staff satisfaction and engagement, measured by Aon Hewitt’s independent survey, reflect the organisation’s strong focus on people and culture. WGE CEO, José Granado says the award recognises the unique corporate culture that began 56 years ago. “Our company founders built an organisation that valued people and the skills and talent they …

WGE’s Melbourne team has been upgrading Building 17 at Monash University. Constructed in 1968, Building 17 is home to the Biology department and was due for an upgrade. The aging building had cracked facades, damage to the roof and services that were no longer meeting wellbeing requirements for occupants. Minimal student disruption As part of capital works program, works were carried out while the building was still occupied and fully functional as a teaching and laboratory space. This presented a number of challenges as the works involved replacement of the existing façade, upgrading services and ensuring the building structure is …

WGE’s Sustainability team is working on Evermore Apartments - the first apartment project in WA to be recognised as a One Planet Living development. The One Planet Living Action Plan is a positive response to challenges faced in the local context and the actions needed to make One Planet Living affordable, attractive and achievable. One Planet Living is the vision of a world in which people enjoy happy, healthy lives within their fair share of the earth’s resources, leaving space for wildlife and wilderness. Working with a relatively new and unknown sustainability tool required detailed interaction with the developer, the …

Western Australia’s outstanding construction projects were honoured by the MBA at their annual gala ceremony held on Saturday 22 July. This year’s awards attracted 71 entries with a combined value of over $2.3 billion. Judges commended the impressive range of projects, stating the first class workmanship and construction excellence reflected the high standards for which the industry has become renowned. WGE is proud to have been involved in 14 projects recognised for excellence, with several projects receiving more than one award. WGE’s Brett Davis congratulated all parties involved in developing, designing and constructing award-winning projects. “We are very proud to …

Recently the WGE Melbourne Fire Engineering team spent the day working with Habitat for Humanity in Yea to assist with building housing for families in need. Some of the team were installing flooring and insulation whilst others were building fences and retaining walls. Habitat for Humanity work with corporate partners to build housing for families in need. These include families that were affected by the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires. WGE Engineer Brett Casson said the day was highlighted how lucky we are. “It was really satisfying to spend the day helping people that are less fortunate than ourselves, investing time …

WGE is working with Engineering Education Australia (EEAUST) and Open Learning, on a new training module to inform the management of underground assets or subsurface utilities. Available through Open Learning in July 2017, the training is aimed at practitioners who manage subsurface utilities – including engineers, designers, managers and state or council authorities. Along with the upgraded Australian Standard for Subsurface Utility Engineering (AS5488) which WGE are currently involved in, the training will inform a minimum level of practice that ensures all practitioners are adhering to the same principles. The online module covers: Defining what subsurface utilities are How subsurface …

WGE is pleased to announce the promotion of six people to the level of Principal shareholder. These individuals have demonstrated their ability to add significant value across a number of areas of the business and have been recognised accordingly: • Ian Harris, Civil Section Manager, Sydney office • Ben James, Hydraulic Project Engineer, Sydney office • Alasdair MacKerron, Senior Structural Project Engineer, Perth office • Dara McGrenaghan, Civil Section Manager, Melbourne office • Shelley Phillipson, National Marketing Manager, Perth office • Rob Sansbury, Infrastructure Section Manager, Brisbane office WGE CEO José Granado said that recognising and rewarding excellent performance has …

WGE’s Elliot Alfirevich has been named by Engineers Australia as one of the nation’s most innovative engineers for his highly integrated technology solution at the Perth Busport. The list of innovative engineers was announced in the latest edition of Engineers Australia’s flagship publication, create magazine. Elliot’s bespoke solution maintains a new level of passenger comfort and safety for Perth commuters and travellers by ensuring that the doors to the busway are only open for the minimum required time. This was achieved by utilising a laser scanner to determine the dimensions of the bus as it arrives in front of the …

Winners of the 2017 Victorian Architecture Awards were announced recently with two WGE projects recognised. The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) by the sthDI + MCR architectural consortium was acknowledged as one of Victoria’s notable public buildings winning the Victorian Medal and the William Wardell Award for Public Architecture. The Centre is a purpose-built centre-of-excellence for cancer research, treatment, care and education. The $1 billion, 130,000m2 facility is the new home of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, new cancer research and clinical services for Melbourne Health and the University of Melbourne. One of the largest inner city residential developments in Australia, …

Congratulations to all projects recognised at the WA Architecture Awards. Announced at a gala function on Friday 23 June, the awards highlight excellence in architecture across Western Australia. State winners go into the running for a national awards program announced in November. A number of WGE projects received awards and commendations, reflecting the inspired of the architects, clients and partners we work with. Winners East Pilbara Arts Centre (Martamili Art Gallery, Newman) Jeffrey Howlett Public Architecture Award Commendation for Sustainable Architecture Commendation for Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture South Terrace Supported Accommodation Hostel Margaret Pitt Morison Heritage Award Elizabeth Quay …