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 were found to be both environmentally and economically sustainable for the Perth Market,” he said.
Eric also saw great opportunity in the research findings. “It is important that we look at the life-cycle of a building not just its current use and be able to re-develop our cities in sustainable and economical ways,” he said.
The report published by the City of Perth presents these concept designs for hypothetical C-Grade buildings and the possibilities for building re-use. It is hoped that these findings will be a catalyst for discussion and motivation for future building upgrades and conversations.
One way for owners to obtain finance for these upgrades is through the Building Upgrade Finance (BUF) scheme, which both the City of Perth and the Property Council are pushing for, through legislative change.
The story was originally published on the www.thefifthestate.com.au website.
