Melbourne property industry leaders share their insights
As part of Wood & Grieve Engineers (WGE) continued support of the Victorian property industry, we are proud to once again sponsor the Property Council of Australia Christmas lunch, held on 11 December, 2015.
The event brings together hundreds of property associates to celebrate the vibrancy and progress within the industry. To mark the occasion, WGE has put together a short video to celebrate the exciting changes and future direction of property in Melbourne.
WGE Melbourne Office Manager, Grant Holman shares his thoughts on the impact of technology. “Humans still need to connect, there are different ways and more ways we are able to do that but the ongoing challenge is between integrating technology but not disconnecting from life.”
In thinking about future developments, President of the Property Council of Australia (Victoria) and Chief Executive Officer of Grocon Carolyn Viney said, “In the next 20 years, my hope is that sustainability sees us get closer to having what we actually need as opposed to taking everything we can get.”
The video also features comments from Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, Partner at KPMG, Bernard Salt, CEO at City of Melbourne, Ben Rimmer and Executive Director at Property Council of Australia (Victoria), Jennifer Cunich.
Premier opens new Ronald McDonald House
The new $27 million Ronald McDonald House in Nedlands, officially opened today by Premier Colin Barnett, provides a home away from home to an increased number of families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment.
Full details regarding the opening can be read in the official media statement found here.
The WGE team were proud to be part of this project and contribute to such a positive new building in Perth. Services the team provided included acoustics, electrical, fire engineering, fire protection, hydraulics, mechanical, structural and sustainability.
Wood & Grieve Engineers expand Sydney Sustainability team
Wood & Grieve Engineer’s (WGE) Sydney office is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Kobler, Sustainability Project Engineer.
When it comes to sustainability and building performance, it is no longer an option but an expectation. The hire of Alexander is in direct response to increased demand for local sustainability expertise in the Sydney market, with developers requiring analysis and design consultation to achieve outstanding environmentally innovative projects.
Alexander is an experienced sustainable design consultant with a background in mechanical engineering and advanced knowledge of Green Star, Basix, NatHERS, NABERS, and Section J requirements.
“Alexander brings advanced knowledge of sustainable buildings and design to our team based on years of experience” says Nicholas Johnson, WGE’s Sustainability Section Manager in Sydney. “Combined with his multi-disciplinary design experience across commercial, residential and retail developments this gives our clients a real advantage in obtaining pioneering sustainability results on projects.”
Recent projects Alexander has worked on include:
- Delivering a 6 Star Green Star rating for a 40,000m2 premium grade office in Sydney’s CBD
- Compiling high volumes of certification for Basix compliance in multiple landmark developments around Sydney
- Developing the sustainability masterplan for a historically and culturally significant development on the Sydney Harbour foreshore
“A productive and positive client experience is my driving force. I see this as the number one way to achieve or surpass environmental development targets” explains Alexander. “I’m delighted to join WGE as I will be working alongside accredited industry leaders for a firm that’s dedicated to high performance and client service. I see a very exciting future for the sustainability industry with WGE.”
WGE’s experienced in-house sustainability team of 16 consultants can provide thorough analysis, advice and design solutions across the wide range of industry sectors. Current projects for the Sydney sustainability team include:
- St George Bank, Barangaroo – 6 Star Green Star Interiors
- CBA Darling Square – 6 Star Green Star
- 286 Sussex Street, Sydney
- Compass Centre Bankstown Redevelopment
- Promenade Stages 2&3, Parramatta.
With the firm leading the sustainability industry by becoming the first consultancy to be approved as a Green Star ‘Recognised Provider in energy modelling’, clients can have increased confidence in expected outcomes through working with an experienced and validated sustainability provider.
prefabAUS Annual Conference - hear about lessons learnt from the experts
Hear John Lucchetti speak on the modular aspects of ‘Building Services - opportunities, risks and lessons learnt’ at the annual prefabAUS conference in Melbourne.
John will be speaking on Wednesday 16th September and will delve into risks and opportunities faced in the design of building services (Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulics and Fire Services) for modular construction projects based on real world experience.
For more information on the conference visit prefabAUS.
WGE Acoustic Section Manager brings his passion for acoustics to Melbourne
Wood & Grieve Engineers’ Acoustic team in Melbourne is being championed by the new Acoustics Section Manager, Daniel Castro.
Daniel has moved from the firm’s Sydney office to offer his extensive acoustic experience to the exciting Melbourne property industry, having previously gained broad international experience in China, Spain and New Zealand. Daniel is leading the Melbourne team of specialist acoustic consultants, proactively coordinating projects across the fields of building acoustics and environmental acoustics.
With over 13 years of experience in the acoustics field and numerous major projects under his belt ranging from hospitals, universities, stadiums, commercial offices, infrastructure and marine/industrial noise assessments, Daniel offers private and public clients an array of finely honed acoustic skills.
“In the design and delivery process, achieving a balance between the budget, architectural intent and an outcome that fits the project brief is paramount” says Daniel. “As acoustic consultants we can offer enormous value through being engaged early in the project, as our detailed assessments and technical acoustic modelling provides the best possible outcomes in terms of budget and deadlines.”
Recent acoustic projects completed by Daniel include:
- Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, QLD
- Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, QLD
- Rhodes Community Centre, NSW
- Hospital for Specialist Surgery, NSW
Daniel’s significant knowledge of acoustics theory will ensure the Melbourne team achieves an optimum balance between technical accuracy, based on past and current projects, and cost effective solutions.
WGE and Blackwoods achieve WA’s first industrial Green Star certification
Western Australia’s first ever project to be awarded Green Star 4 Star Industrial V1 Design certification has been successfully completed by Blackwoods with the support of Wood & Grieve Engineers’ (WGE) sustainability team. The Blackwoods Karratha Retail Warehouse achieved the prestigious Green Star certification with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) through a number of innovative sustainable initiatives and materials that were implemented and used throughout the build.
“One of the major achievements on the Blackwoods project was the implementation of one of the first large scale photovoltaic (PV) solar systems powered on the Horizon Power network” explained Phillip Cook, WGE Sustainability Project Engineer.
“This was no small feat as Horizon Power has rigorous solar installation regulations to ensure power quality is maintained and power output is correctly managed. The end result of a 40kW solar installation is an accomplishment to be proud of and we hope the processes established on this successful project will pave the way for many more industrial and commercial PV installations on the network.”
Additional sustainability initiatives on the Blackwoods Karratha Retail Warehouse project which aided the successful Green Star certification include:
- Daylight responsive ‘high bay’ fluorescent lights in the warehouse as an alternative to traditional metal halide lighting, providing significant energy savings.
- 100% of waste water treated on site through blackwater and greywater systems.
- Indoor air quality improved through use of low VOC paints and adhesives.
- The use of sustainably sourced timber throughout the project.
- Efficient humidity control through a dedicated outside air heat recovery system.
The location of the new warehouse in a remote and cyclonic region brought about challenges to the team in both climatic conditions and the availability of materials. It was necessary to take into account conditions such as humidity, heat and cyclonic structural issues to ensure appropriate sustainability solutions and a robust PV solar installation.
The certification of Blackwoods Karratha Retail Warehouse as WA’s the first Industrial Design V1 project further adds to WGE’s recognised capability in Green Star projects, with the firm recently receiving approval as the first Green Star ‘Recognised Provider in energy modelling’ by the GBCA. This certified level of technical expertise provides the wider project team with increased confidence in expected Green Star outcomes.
Four WGE projects win gold at the WA UDIA Awards for Excellence 2015
Wood & Grieve Engineers’ (WGE) were delighted to have contributed to four award-winning projects in the Western Australia Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Awards for Excellence 2015 held on Saturday 29 August.
The UDIA awards, which have been held for over 20 years, celebrate outstanding developments in WA’s urban development industry.
WGE were involved in four award-winning projects:
- Elements won the Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence and also the Affordable Development categories
- The Glades won the Environmental Excellence category
- Baynton West won the Residential Development Over 250 Lots category
- North One – Subi Centro was a joint winner in the Medium Density category
“Our WGE team is enormously proud to have been involved in so many award-winning projects. On a professional level it’s a delight to be a part of these high calibre project teams who go above and beyond to evolve our industry” said Darren Pesich, Perth Civil Section Manager.
“We would like to congratulate all those involved in the winning projects. The UDIA awards are always a highlight in our calendar as they truly recognise and celebrate the excellent work in the land development industry. We look forward to next year already!”
WGE’s national Civil team numbers over 70 people, with experience in land development, infrastructure and building services. The Civil team manages more than a quarter billion dollars of works per year and offers the technical experience and expertise to ensure a commercial project outcome, as demonstrated by the number of award winning projects completed.
Above: The Glades at Byford
