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Volume 2 Number 8

Inside This Edition:

Windows, Lighting & Doors • The Bendigo Centre • Audi Lighthouse • Goods Shed North
 contents
Feature SUPPLEMENTs
COVER IMAGE: The Bendigo Centre
Image Courtesy of John Gollings
6 Windows: We Can See Clearly Now
Volume 2 Number 8 The Fenestration of the Future is Here
Publisher | Brandon Vigon
03 8844 5822 8 Doors
publisher@awardmagazine.com.au More than just Opening and Closing
Editor | Mark Kenfield
editor@awardmagazine.com.au
18 Specifying Australian
Building Specifiers Looking For Australian Made
Contributing Writers | Sarah Bachmann, Brooke Barr,
Jim Barrett, Rebecca Bartels, Jennifer Cunich, Jim
Doyle, David Hart, Andrew Holder, Mark Kenfield,
AWARDWORTHY SHOWCASES
Romilly Madew, Shane McIntosh, Megan Motto,
George Xinos 12 A Beacon For A Brand
The Audi Lighthouse, NSW
Marketing | Matilde Ejlertsen

Senior Designer | Annette Carlucci

20 Through The Looking Glass
The Bendigo Bank Centre, VIC
Production Manager Rachel Selbie
30 Boom Town Baby
Circulation | subscriptions@awardmagazine.com.au
Goods Shed North, VIC

How Did They Do That?

24 The Qatar National Convention Centre’s Sidra Trees
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 Association Matters
31
40 Green Building Council of Australia
Let There Be Light

40 Australian Constructors Association

Time to Focus on the Future

41 Association of Consulting
Engineers Australia
Sydney Towards Tomorrow Report

41 Property Council of Australia

PCA Persistence Ensures Privacy for

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Feature PRODUCT SHOWCASEs

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|5
 Feature supplement
We Can See Clearly Now: The
Fenestration of the Future is Here
It may not look like it, but glass has gone green, a deep
Daintree shade of green too. Gone are the days of building
fenestration being the prime culprit in the sort of solar heat gain
(and loss) that sends energy bills soaring. The trends in window
design and manufacture are now moving towards energy
efficiency and the management of internal environments.
The question is “How can we best harness natural energy?”
says Paul Cocker, Marketing and Business Development
Manager at Viridian. “There has been a tremendous increase
in the uptake of double glazing units to increase/decrease the
amount of light/heat entering buildings lately. Modern glass
and glazing design allows us to control the amount of light/
heat each window lets in or lets out.” The impact the Green
Building Council of Australia on this front, with its support
for energy efficient, low emissivity (Low E) glass shouldn’t be
underestimated, he adds.
This uptake has been driven by a number of factors, says
Cocker, including; increased awareness of green building issues
by both tenants and building operators and owners; as well as
“an awareness in Australia about us being behind the rest of the
world in regards to building efficiency and sustainable design.”
This relatively sudden change in attitudes does however
bring with it a need for greater understanding of the factors that
go into to providing a building with energy efficient fenestration.
For starters, where new buildings are concerned, orientation
is very important. For example, windows with an East-West
orientation offer massively increased heat/light levels over
North-South orientated ones. And with eight distinct climate
zones across the continent (as defined by the BCA) window
solutions vary considerably across Australia.
“In Queensland,” Cocker explains, “you need to maximise
light but minimise heat, so a lot of buildings use tones and
painted glass to let light in while still controlling the heat.
Whereas in Victoria, where the climate is a lot cooler, you look
to retain heat within the building; so you try to capture and
maximise heat to avoid excessive heating bills.”
Photo courtesy of Peter Hyatt
6 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredsupplement
“It is also commonly misunderstood that you can just put
darker glass in your windows to get a result,” Cocker adds. “but
actually it’s the glass and the frame. The frame has A HUGE
impact on the results you’ll get from your windows. Inefficient
aluminium frames don’t work well, but darker glass and a
decent frame combined have a lot to offer.”
“Designing the windows of a building can be critical to the
success of your efficiency measures,” explains Chris Exner,
an architect from Rotheloman, who recently incorporated a
range of efficiency measures into the firm’s design studio in
Southbank, Victoria, “For example, with a building orientation
that has your windows facing due west, sunlight penetration is
going to be considerable, so by designing your windows on an
angle, you can deflect heat while ensuring your glass doesn’t
act like a mirror when viewed from the inside.”
Other options include things like automated louvred blinds,
that feature automated control systems to monitor the amount
of sunlight hitting the windows and adjust the blinds accordingly.
As Exner explains, “as the sun hits the glass, the blinds close
gradually, providing shade as needed throughout the course of
the day.” These sorts of blinds also feature a manual override
control so they can be opened or closed as required.
In current glass design the trend has been to focus on
maximising the “clarity” of glass, whilst minimising solar-heat
coming in. Which is made possible by hard-coating glass. Hard
coated glass is particularly durable thanks to the special coatings
which are applied whilst the glass is still semi-molten, precisely
controlled coatings are bonded molecularly to the surface of the
glass whilst it is still being manufactured. The durability of the
coatings allows the glass to be handled, processed and stored
easily, and once installed will offer consistent performance for
the life of the window. Different performance properties are
achieved with glass by changing the chemistry of the coatings.
Which is now allowing manufacturers to produce a range
of energy efficient, Low E glass suitable for all of Australia’s
climates.
Through the use of double glazing, Melbourne Grammar's latest
building; a tri-level montage of steel, brick and glass that sits in striking
contrast to the original 1854 Bluestone building; balances striking
aesthetics with environmental sustainability.
 Feature supplement
Doors: More than
just Opening and Closing
Three frameless automatic sliding doors installed side by side with another three installed
internally, create a complete airlock. In a building with over 5,000 workers, a passageway
like this ensures that traffic flow, security and climate control requirements can all be met
with aesthetics intact.
Doors. They’re pretty simple things
really, they open and they close. Heck,
even automatic doors are just a glorified
method of that same, simple method of
opening and closing. Right?
Wrong.
Sure that used to be the case up until
about 1990, but since then, doors have
been slowly evolving to the point that,
now, they don’t just open and close –
they do a whole lot more.
Now the first question that might
be jumping into your head when read
that is: ‘why?’ why do we even need
doors to do anything more than open
and close? And surely further com-
plications to such basic and essential
building componentry as doors is only
going to drive up the costs of design
on construction unnecessarily.
Well it would seem that the key factor
behind these developments in doors,
8 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredsupplement
Photos courtesy of DORMA Automatics Pty Ltd
and automatic doors in particular, has
been safety and access standards; which
according to DORMA architectural con-
sultant Greg Dell, “have entered heav-
ily into the design both in and around
doors”; as issues such as fair access and
egress for people with physical disabili-
ties and mandated safety requirements
have come to the fore. In recent years,
the biggest of these have been AS5007
‘Powered Doors for Pedestrian Access
and Egress’ and drafts of the soon-to-be-
released ‘Access to Premises’ Disability
Standard.
So with this in mind, let’s have a look at
where these developments in automatic
doors have been leading.
First up are Safety and Access.
Nowadays, it’s not just the doors them-
selves, but the whole door surrounds that
have to be designed to ensure that every-
one is safe (i.e. there are now consider-
AS5007
Glass Fittings and
Door Control Automatic Doors Movable Walls Service
Accessories

DORMA Automatics
First to Market with Automatic Sliding Door Compliance.
In September 2007, Standards Australia released a new automatic door standard entitled
AS5007 “Powered doors for pedestrian access and egress”. Replacing the 1992 Standard
AS4085, the new Standard focuses on standardising the “design, installation, test and safety
requirements of all automatic pedestrian door assemblies.”

The DORMA EL301 and HD operators are the first automatic sliding door operators compliant
and accredited with AS5007.

EL301 & HD automatic operators are certified by an independent NATA

accredited laboratory.

D NATA Certificate - AS5007

D 1,000,000 continuous cycle test at maximum door weight

D 2,000 cycles in a temperature controlled chamber

(1,000 at -15IC and 1,000 at +50IC)

D Self-monitored Safety PE Beams (Photo Electric Cells)

D Self-monitored Presence Sensors (protective devices)

D Accelerated cycle test

DORMA Automatics . 1800 675 411 . infoautomatics@dorma.com . www.dorma.com.au

FULLY COMPLIANT WITH AS5007
 Feature supplement
Frameless doors provide a clear visual connection between the inside and outside space of buildings.
They allow designers to treat frameless doors as a negative element; almost as if they're not there.
able minimum gaps incorporated into
door designs to prevent potential dangers
like head and finger traps). Other safety
developments include things like pres-
ence sensors, which can detect whether
anyone is standing in the doorway, and
prevent the doors from closing in those
instances; and smoke-sealing features
that can now be built into even frameless
automatic doors.
From an Access point of view, the use
of automatic doors also offers solutions
to some of the requirements laid out
for manual doors by the AS1428 Part 1
Standard. As Blythe-Sanderson Access
Consultant, George Xinos, explains, “With
manual doors the Standards require both
circulation space to ensure access for
people with disabilities; and a maximum
operating force of 20N, which in some
instances – due to issues like wind force
– aren’t possible to achieve. Automated
doorways can allow you to circumvent
both of these requirements.”
Secondly, there’s Sensor and Unit
Operator technology; these are the ‘brains’
of the doors and have evolved to include
features that include: analysing pedestri-
an flows and controlling how wide doors
will open accordingly to those flows; this
can help to minimise heating and cooling
bills by reducing the amount of tem-
perature change that occurs as a result of
doors opening; and self-monitoring sen-
sors, which monitor all of the operational
10 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredsupplement
features of a door, and can send out alerts
whenever they run into issues.
This self-monitoring capacity leads us
into another big new area in door technol-
ogy – the stringent new servicing require-
ments for automatic doors. Which now
require automatic doors to be serviced a
minimum of three times a year (with no
longer than four months between servic-
ing intervals); and require service techni-
cians to be trained in accordance with
the requirements of Appendix E of the
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) stan-
dards. As DORMA’s Product Marketing &
National Sales Manager, Nicholas Flinos
explains, “Previously, these sorts of levels
of servicing simply weren’t considered”.
The new standards also now require
both swing and sliding doors to complete
1,000,000 continuous cycles in testing,
before they can be officially certified for
installation.
Door security is another area that has
come under quite intense change under
the new standards. As Greg Dell explains,
“You can’t put conventional locks on auto-
matic doors now; they have to be self-
locking.” So the doors now use Smart
Locks, which, rather than requiring the
door to be fully closed in order to lock,
can be secured at any stage of closing
now. Which, Dell adds, “can allow small
gaps for overnight deliveries, and lock
doors in ‘best possible’ positions during
emergencies”.
Doors can now also be incorporated
into building management systems and
monitored offsite; feature alarm systems
that can alert attendants to people at the
door after-hours; incorporate emergency
locks that can close the doors at full
speed (much faster than regular closing
speeds) during emergencies, but will still
stop and lock if they hit a barrier/obstacle,
and if stopped, will attempt to contin-
ue closing after a short waiting period.
In addition, doors are now including
Uninterruptible Power Supply systems,
with battery backups that, in the event of
a power outage, will take over the open-
ing and closing of doors for up to about
100 cycles, before reverting to a safe ‘(i.e.
open) position just before the battery
power runs out entirely.
Design-wise, the biggest trend in doors
at the moment is a move towards fra-
meless doors, which do away with the
conventional aluminium framework
we’re all used to, in favour of much
cleaner looking, all-glass construction.
As Architect Nik Tabain, of Gray Puksand
explains, “One of the key drivers behind
this is to provide a clear visual connection
between the inside and outside space of
buildings. It allows designers to treat fra-
meless doors as a negative element; it’s
almost as if they’re not there.”
So all-in-all, it’s a seriously exciting
time in doors. And, for once, there’s noth-
ing oxymoronic about that statement.
 AWARDWORTHY: The Audi Lighthouse
Photos by Product K
Main: The Lighthouse as seen at night from
Dowling Street. The perforated cladding allows
the building’s interior to be subtly rendered
behind the façade, so that when people drive
past, they can recognise a range of activities
going on within.
12 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredprojects
A Beacon For A Brand:
The Audi Lighthouse
If you’ve driven past an Audi dealership in the last
couple of years, you probably remember it; a handsome
monument to glass and steel, with broad open spaces,
huge windows and a smooth, curvaceous roofline. Well
what you saw, Audi calls a Hangar, and modern as it is,
it has now been rendered obsolete.
Audi are one of the first prestige car layout that incorporated the necessary
brands to have identified architecture showrooms, workshops and carparks
as a signature of their brand, and into a single multi-level building – and so,
implemented a global design concept the ‘Terminal’ concept was born.
for their showrooms as a result, and the Now it’s one thing to say that a
‘Hangar’ is their previous model. vertical layout works better for fitting
You see, as modern and spacious as the showrooms, a service centre and a
Hangars looked, their style was actually corporate headquarters into a limited plot
their biggest weakness as their traditional of land; but it’s something else entirely
horizontal layout of showrooms, to actually realise that concept. After
workshops and carparks required a broad all, showrooms and service centres
site area. This limited opportunities have always had horizontal layouts for
to consider prime, high-density urban a reason, namely, that they constantly
locations for their showrooms. As the have cars being driven into, out of and
Hangars required such large plots of land around them. And cars tend to handle
that balancing costs with appropriate moving forwards and backwards far
locations became a real struggle. better than they do up and down.
Recognising this, Audi had Munich All of which brings us to the new,
architects Allmann Sattler Wappner adapt $50 million dollar Audi ‘Lighthouse’;
their design concept from the horizontal home to the new Audi Centre Sydney
layout of the Hangars into a vertical showroom and aftersales centre; the
new headquarters of Audi Australia;
and, at 16,000m2, the largest of its kind
in the world.
Siting and Design
h
Audi selected Johnson Pilton
Walker (JPW) as the architects to adapt
the ‘Terminal’ concept for Australia, and
brought JPW Director Paul van Ratingen
to Germany to show him what they were
after conceptually. “We looked at the
broad concept they had,” van Ratingen
says, “which contrasted the curved forms
of the car showrooms, as organic voids
cutout of a simple orthogonal exterior;
essentially a box. This gave visual priority
to the showrooms; a perforated cladding
over the rest of the building enable a
secondary reading of subsidiary functions
visible through the façade. We easily
related to these conceptual ideas and
saw great opportunity to further adapt it
for Australia, to include things like natural
ventilation and light that made use of
Sydney’s climate.”
Quite a number of sites were considered
for the project, and in the end Audi settled
on South Dowling Street, which, due
to its position between the city and the
h
airport, makes the lighthouse visible to
an estimated 45 million cars that drive
past annually.
Although the location was deemed
excellent, the site itself presented some
significant challenges, primarily in that
it was underlined by a swamp and
sat roughly 35m above bedrock. Paul
Davis of Paul Davis Rajalingam Smart
Left: Perforated cladding allowed the centre's workshop to be placed
on the 5th floor, windows can be opened to allow full natural ventilation
into the space, removing the need for costly mechanical ventilation.
Structures was the structural consultant
on the project, and explains that, “Due
to the water table sitting at ground
level and the foundations going down
35m we had to implement a ‘floating’
design. So we designed the basement
as a hydrostatic slab to withstand the
hydraulic pressures of the water. This
meant we had to de-water the site and
de-sure the area, with pumps running
continuously to remove the water
whilst we put the slab and the walls in,
and then with the basement in place
we raised the water level back up so
that the slab was tied down.”
As Martin Mohapp, Southern Cross
Constructions’ Project Manager on the
Lighthouse explains it, “The challenge
was to build the basement structure in
water-charged ground, and to protect
the equilibrium of the water table while
we were dewatering whilst also ensuring
that there was no surrounding ground
settlement, especially along the eastern
elevation of site, which sat in very close
proximity to South Dowling Street, which
is a major road.”
Ramping Up Construction
With the basement slab in place, the
project had its starting point van Ratingen
says, “the building form is a 100m by
25m by 25m block encompassing a
range of showrooms over a number of
levels; offices; café; Audi Australia head
office; car parking and a fully functioning
workshop on the fifth floor; all of the 8
levels accessed from a single ramp coiling
Right: Large 7m columns, supported by 6m cantilevers provide the
racetrack-inspired showrooms with a sense of space and light, but by
dividing the space into four separate showrooms, the spaces are made
comfortable rather than intimidating.
up through the building. Natural Light
and ventilation was crucial in achieving
the volume and functions. For example,
normally a large workshop like this would
be located in a basement with artificial
ventilation and lighting, but we were very
keen to bring these up to the 5th floor.
It’s quite an extreme notion to put a large
workshop 5 storeys in the air, but with
Audi’s support we managed to make it
function very successfully.”
In the end, the key to making the highly
diverse and multi-level Lighthouse work
was the ramp. The original concept called
for the use of car lifts to move vehicles
in, out and around the building’s various
showrooms, facilities and levels; however
on evaluation, it was determined that lifts
would be expensive; prone to breaking
down due to constant use; and inevitably,
would affect the smooth operation of a
busy showroom and workshop. However
the decision to implement a ramp wasn’t
made lightly, as van Ratingen explains,
“When you have levels stacked on top
of each other in these kinds of buildings,
putting in ramps can take up a very
significant amount of space.” To work
in with these limitations, the final design
implemented a ramp that wound up
and down through the building, but
wasn’t hidden away from the rest of the
interior, so that when people are in the
showrooms, they can actually see cars
on their way up through the building.
Which helps add to the impression that
the building is ‘alive’ with activity, so that
even in quiet periods, customers don’t
| 13
 AWARDWORTHY: The Audi Lighthouse
Left: Light entering the building is diffused by the perforations in the
facade, which keeps daylight levels high, but keeps glare low. It extends
out 100cm from the glazing on the eastern side of the building to
provide sunshading to minimise heat gain.
feel like they are the only ones there.
“Structurally, the ramp, a post-tension
structure, was tricky to coordinate,” Davis
adds, but the coordination of the structure
was aided by the use of 3D modelling
software, BIM software and several
analytical programs.
Building Animation
h
This notion of using diversity of
operation in the building to activate and
animate the space played a large part in
the design. “Audi were very keen that
people should feel comfortable entering
the building.” van Ratingen explains,
“It’s a big building, so we could have
had one massive showroom, but that
can be intimidating, so we pursued four
individual showrooms instead. Which
means that, as a visitor, you enter a
comfortable space, and experience
different parts of the building through
the various showrooms via an escalator
or glazed lift. Each showroom is subtly
different in its layout; outlook; and
orientation, so each one gives you a
different experience. Which helps make a
diverse and interesting visitor experience
to the Lighthouse, given its scale."
Multi-Faceted Façade
h
One of the building’s most distinctive
features is the anodised, perforated
and folded aluminium façade that
covers most of its surface. The façade
was part of the original conceptual
idea from Allmann Sattler Wappner,
was fabricated, produced to Audi’s
specification and supplied by Craft
Metals and installed by Architectural
Roofing & Wall Cladding (ARC Roofing).
This type of façade made putting the
workshop on the 5th floor possible by
providing concealment, but still allowing
full natural ventilation to the entire level.
As van Ratingen describes it, “At night,
you can see the building’s interior subtly
rendered behind the façade, so when
14 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredprojects
Right: A ramp runs up through the building providing access to all 8
floors, it is visually integrated into the building so that the movement of
cars through the building remains visible, adding activity and animation
to the interior.
you drive past it you recognise a range of
activities going on within.”
The façade used 5005 H34 Aluminium
2mm thick sheet material, which is
lightweight and rigid, and makes it ideal
for the large-spanning, recessed panel
element design of the Lighthouse. The
façade played into many of the building’s
features. Aiding in the zoning of the
showrooms, so that the used cars on
display sit in zones that are pared back
in comparison to the new ones; and
assisting in sun-shading with the glazing
line set in a metre on the eastern side
to help cut heat gain during the day.
Which as van Ratingen explains, “also
helps diffuse the daylight entering the
h
building, so people’s work environments
receive good natural light, and possess
nice views but don’t feel like goldfish
bowls. It also creates patterns inside that
are interesting, and you get great sunlight
without the heat loads.”
“The use of aluminium is quite
important to Audi’s corporate identity,”
JPW architect Brendan Murray adds, “it’s
played a significant role in their cars, and
it feeds into their corporate design as well.
The approach worked with the idea that
everything from the façade down to the
staplers should have an integrity to it.”
However getting the cladding on to the
building was no mean feat, ARC Roofing
received the brief for the cladding, and
developed a sub-framing system to cope
with the three different substrates – pre-
fabricated steel, concrete and corefilled
blockwork – that would be a part of it.
However, as Martin Mohapp
explains, “In late December 2008, four
months into the project, a challenge
was offered by Audi, and subsequently
taken up by the consultancy team and
the builders, to complete the project in
just 11 months.” Which as ARC Roofing
Project Manager Juerg Wilk explains,
“Basically meant that we had to start
from level eight and work our way
down with a system that is originally
designed to go from bottom to top.”
“But our biggest challenge was that
we had to cope with slab deflections
of 10mm,” Wilk continues, “due to
car traffic through the building and
the weight of the cars, the concrete
slabs move. So we had to divide
the entire façade into three separate
areas, and design a sub-structure to
compensate for these movements.
All while ensuring that each of the
individual 200cm x 50cm pre-profiled
panels lined up precisely with the large
glazed elements."
Outside-In
The efficiency and functionality of
the façade also flows into the interior,
from the race-track inspired showrooms
to the café and retail sections, through
to the workshops and Audi Australia’s
head office on the top floor. “There is a
great consistency from outside to inside
in the building,” Murray explains, “a
consistency of material and detailing that
covers everything from the furniture to
the signing, and provides a neutral and
natural finish,”
All of which feeds into the presentation
of the cars, “It’s very much a museum
approach, a gallery for these highly engi-
neered and beautiful cars.” van Ratingen
concludes, “What we’ve tried to provide is
a way to see these cars from a technology
standpoint, so there are lifts that let you
see the underside of a car and there’s a
connection between the workshops and
the head office, so everyone can see what
everyone else is doing.” All of which
allows the Lighthouse; which could easily
have been a rather cold and intimidat-
ing proposition; to feel transparent and
comfortable for both customers and the
people who work there, and allows it
to act as a beacon for Audi as a brand.
Which in the end, is exactly what you'd
want a 'lighthouse' to do.
 Accessibility Column

Lighting for Safety and Function

The intelligent use of lighting in buildings is an essential
ingredient in providing a safe and functional environment.
Inadequate and inappropriate lighting can be detrimental to
many people, increasing their risk of tripping, falling or sustaining
injuries; either during general mobility, or during tasks involving
the use of utensils.
Most people who are considered legally blind have some
residual vision and can perceive some level of light. Low vision
can be the result of a myriad of conditions, many of these
associated with aging. The strong correlation of low vision
and aging, coupled with the exponential growth of Australians
in the 60+ age group, highlights the importance of providing
environments with well designed lighting.

General lighting
An inadequate or inconsistent level of general or ambient
lighting in a space can present a formidable problem to many
people with low vision. People with low or affected vision often
require two to three times the amount of light to perform tasks
and to facilitate general orientation and mobility.
Providing general lighting to an appropriate level is therefore
essential. Lux levels for rooms of a variety of functions are
outlined in Australian Standards AS1680 Interior lighting, and
more specifically for people with low vision in AS1428.2
Design for access and mobility Part 2: Enhanced and additional
requirements – Buildings and facilities.
The lighting levels indicated in these standards can sometimes
become problematic for designers, especially when they are
also attempting to cut energy consumption to meet a building’s
sustainability requirements. Even though these standards
provide important guidance in designing lighting, a number of
considerations can be incorporated to assist in improving the
function and safety of an internal space.
Location of lighting
Wall washers which use the walls and ceilings as reflectors, can
assist in illuminating a space without causing glare, and can also
help define a space more effectively. They can also assist with
identifying rooms and therefore facilitate orientation.
Daylight is generally a source of light that most people
(including people with low vision) find very useful. Maximising
this through the use of windows and openings, while also
considering their location and potential for causing glare issues is
essential. Providing means for excluding low-elevation sunlight
such as eaves, screens or blinds will assist in reducing glare.
Consideration of anticipated occupant sightlines within
a space is also essential in the provision of both natural
and artificial light sources in order to reduce direct glare
and the associated silhouetting it causes.
Locating light switches to the latch side of a door and
aligning them with the height of door hardware also
provides consistency for users in locating them upon
entering a potentially dark space.
Use of task focused lighting
Providing focused illumination for particular activities in set
locations improves contrast and visual clarity, and can offset
fatigue. Task lighting should therefore be provided in areas
where people are expected to perform specific tasks such as
reading, writing, craftwork, preparing food etc. Task lighting
should always be provided in conjunction with general lighting.
Photo courtesy of Tim Pearce
As a mass thoroughfare for train travel, Southern Cross Station has
extensive lighting requirements to ensure its safety and accessibility
to all passengers. Note the uniformity of lighting, contrasting strips at
the platform edges, contrasting tactile ground surface indicators, and
contrasting fixtures and street furnishings.
light which reduces the possibility of dark areas and provides
a more consistent lighting level across a space. Triphosporus
halogens should be selected when providing general lighting
as they provide more natural lighting than other artificial light
sources. Incandescent and halogen lighting produce narrower
bands of light, and therefore require a larger number of fittings
to provide uniform lighting across a space. Multiple light sources
can produce confusing shadows which can be disorienting for
people with low vision.
Diffusers should generally be used to reduce glare, and
light fittings should not be mounted at or around eye level.
Up-lighting that projects into habitable spaces (especially along
established paths of travel) should also be avoided.
Use of finishes
Providing contrasting finishes between items such as walls and
floors, as well as furniture and fitment items, assists in defining a
space and a safe path through the building. Attention should also
be given to the reflectivity of finishes. Matte finishes are preferred
as they reduce potential for glare from reflected light sources.
It is important to ensure that the design and layout of rooms
is based upon the specific activities performed within that space,
logical layouts assist people with low vision to anticipate and
search out appropriate routes for navigation.
For more information about this article, please visit
www.awardmagazine.com.au/featured editorial

Selection of appropriate lighting and fittings George Xinos

Quality fluorescent light sources provide a diffused source of Blythe-Sanderson Group

16 | www.awardmagazine.com.au
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Architect : Woods Bagot

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 Feature supplement

Building Specifiers Looking

For Australian Made
By Rebecca Bartels

Now more than ever there is

heightened awareness about the
impact of purchase decisions
on our economy. Building
suppliers are reporting that
building specifiers are becoming
more astute and concerned
about the origin of the building
products they buy. Prior to the
global financial crisis Australia
had experienced 17 years of
economic expansion. The
economic downturn is seeing
many Australians for the first
time confront and understand
the benefits of investing back
into the community. With
increasing unemployment
rates, Australians are keen to
keep their fellow Australians
in jobs. Keeping Australian
manufacturing alive and buying
Australian products is a means Photo courtesy of Gerard Warrener
to keeping our economy strong
The beautiful and intricate glass facade of 30 The Esplande, made from Australian-designed and
and resilient.
manufacturered decorative safey glass from DigiGlass Australasia
According to 2009 Roy Morgan
research, the Australian Made logo is the single most the local industry,” says the company’s Marketing
trusted symbol for Australian products: with 85% of people Coordinator, Sandy Vasovic. “With this in mind, we try to
trusting the logo over other country of origin identifiers make it very clear to our clients that our timber products
including flags, maps, pictures of animals and even the are indeed Australian made”.
words ‘Made in Australia’. The logo is also recognised by “In international markets, Australia is known for its quality
94% of Australians. products and its clean and green environment.” She adds,
In the current climate, the growing hunger for ‘things “At Verosol, we are about manufacturing premium quality
Australian’ is presenting some unique opportunities for products with an environmentally responsible outlook, so
savvy local building supply manufacturers to benefit by using the Australian Made logo for promoting our products
effectively branding their products as Australian, and as Australian has been really effective for communicating
working to spread market awareness of that fact. And to builders and building specifiers what our products are
the most visible way to market products as Australian is all about.”
through the use of the Australian Made logo, a certification “In the 2008-2009 financial year our campaign experienced
trademark which has been around for over 23 years now, a phenomenal 46% increase in the number of businesses
and can be found on more than 10,000 products sold here registering to use the Australian Made logo,” explains Ian
in Australia and exported to markets around the world. Harrison, the not-for-profit campaign’s Chief Executive,
The logo itself can only be used on products that are adding that, “This is clearly linked to increased interest
registered with the Australian Made Campaign and meet in buying products that represent good value, meet high
the strict country of origin criteria set out in the Trade safety and quality standards, support our economy and
Practices Act and the Campaign’s own Code of Practice. keep jobs in Australia”.
A not-for-profit campaign, Australian Made receives “So I urge Australian window furnishing manufacturers
both the support and trust of the construction industry and retailers, to boldly and aggressively market your
and the government. The trade mark is protected from products as Australian,” Harrison says, adding that
misuse through a rigorous certification, compliance and “especially at the moment; with a recessed global
enforcement program. economy and the high-value of the Australian dollar,
One company that has seen success from marketing imports are looking extremely attractive to builders and
their products as Australian Made has been Verosol, an specifiers. All of which makes for a particularly perilous
international leader in the design and manufacture of market; so it is more important than ever that local
premium window coverings. Their Australian branch’s manufacturers get out there and promote the fact that
blind products are manufactured in Queensland, and use they are local. Doing so allows you to differentiate your
their ‘Australianness’ as a key selling point. products from imports and provides you with a real point
“Australians in general are becoming more aware of of difference. It is a proactive way you can combat the
purchasing Australian made products and supporting challenging market conditions.”

18 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredsupplement
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 AWARDWORTHY: The Bendigo centre

Through The Looking Glass:

The Bendigo centre
It’s no small challenge building a world-class commercial
office building in a regional centre. Not only are you faced
with the challenges of putting together a cutting-edge
building well away from conventional urban centres;
but also the inevitable issues and concerns that come
with constructing large-scale modern architecture in a
location that tends towards heritage buildings.
20 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredprojects

Main: The Bendigo Centre as seen from the
approach through Lyric Square at twilight,
showing the high-efficiency façade and coloured
sunshades that control heat loads, also visible
is the clear path along the boardwalk that
reclaims Bendigo Creek.
Right: A view of the Centre’s main internal
street, which contains collaboration spaces
for members of staff. Daylight is plentiful, and
plants assist in improving indoor air quality.
But it’s a challenge Bendigo Bank
decided to take up with the design and
construction of its new headquarters, the
six-storey, $100 million dollar Bendigo
Centre; the largest building in the regional
centre; and the winner of the 2009
Australian Institute of Architects Victorian
Chapter Commercial Architecture Award
and Regional Prize , an RAIA National
Award for Commercial Architecture, and
National Commendation for Sustainable
Architecture, and a High Commendation
for Sustainable Developments in the
Property Council of Australia’s Innovation
and Excellence Awards 2009.
Accommodating 1,000 staff and
incorporating a host of sustainable
features, the Centre includes new retail
stores, cafes and restaurants, and is one
of the first 5 Star Green Star buildings to
be built in a regional city.
As Len Holland, the Bank’s Manager
of Corporate Real Estate, explains, “Our
aim was essentially to build a world-
class working environment for our staff,
whilst making sure that we had a strong
sustainability and community focus;
used ecologically sound principles in
the construction; and displayed the
bank’s ongoing commitment to the
Bendigo community.”
A large part of this was siting the
building appropriately. As Nik Tabain,
Project Director from Gray Puksand
architects; who designed the Centre
in partnership with BVN; explains, “It
was a new home for Bendigo Bank, we
looked at a couple of sites, and even
considered a greenfield site, but in
the end, it was decided that the bank
wanted to give back to the community
and help reestablish the old heart of
the city.”
The bank’s relocation of 1,000 people
to the building added considerable
Photos by John Gollings
pedestrian traffic to the area and
greatly bolstered retail, commerce and
activity in the area, which was seen as
the key revitalising the northern end
of the CBD.
Through The Looking Glass
h
Obviously the most striking
element of the building is its glass
façade, which was largely informed
by the bank’s corporate culture.
“Bendigo is a very transparent
organisation,” Tabain says, “and they
consider that very important. Which Staff talking in one of the many communal areas
is why the building is all glass - they around the atrium. The arrangement of the levels
wanted their staff to be able to see around the atrium means that 85% of staff are no
their customers and vice versa. They further than 8m from a source of natural light.
didn't want to be seen as sitting in an
ivory tower.”
However this proved to be one of
the project’s most difficult challenges.
as the longest boundary of the site
faced due west; and, thanks to the
direct sunlight that exposed the
building to, didn’t really gel with the
notion of having a green, sustainable
and transparent building. "Normally
you’d provide solid panels to stop
those heat loads coming in." explains
Bill Dowzer, BVN's Project Director on
the Centre. "But that’s how the whole
evolution of the sunshading system
we used, began." The sunshades
stopped the heat loads coming in
The main atrium works in tandem with the exterior
on the western side of the building,
façade to provide an abundance of natural daylight
whilst still allowing people to look in
to the building. Colour is used on each of the levels
and out through the glass.
to help provide workers with a sense of ownership
Key to providing the sort of
for their space. Open-plan common spaces on the
transparency the Bank were looking
ground floor help to foster a sense of community.
for, was bringing daylight into
every corner of the Centre, and the
solution to this was to create a "single
building, divided into four fingers and
joined together by atriums," Dowzer
explains, which means that between
| 21
 AWARDWORTHY: The Bendigo centre
the exterior glass facade, the atriums
and the 100% open-plan layout of
the office - 85% of all staff are within
8m of a natural light source. "Which
means it’s always comfortable, and
staff love it," Tabain says.
"This focus on natural light was
very important to the project," Dowzer
continues, "a lot of light modelling
went into the design to calculate
how much light penetration gets in
to the building, and it has allowed us
to radically reduce lighting levels in
the building. Overhead lighting has
been greatly reduced, and everyone
has a task light for when daylight
levels drop and they need additional
light.” The success of the lighting
arrangement has been phenomenal
Len Holland says, “Our hope had been
to achieve energy savings of up to
50% and the lighting implementation
has been a big part of successfully
achieving that.”
Building Connections
h
Increased staff productivity and
wellbeing were high priorities in the
project and another benefit to the
Centre’s layout has been that it helps
facilitate communication between
the bank’s different departments.
Previously they were spread out all
over Bendigo, so bringing everyone
together in an open-plan setting with
atriums that create community spaces
has also helped in building connections
between the staff.
The project was largely designed
around the concepts of ‘connection’ and
‘communication’ and a large part of this
revolved around breaking the building
up into a series of neighbourhoods
within the 4 fingers of the building, “the
fingers of the building evolved from
trying to replicate the narrow breakup
of the Victorian design of the rest of
the street,” Dowzer explains, “so we
used the breaks between each finger to
create a sense of intimacy, whilst still
tying people in to an understanding that
they’re part of a bigger organisation.”
Even the colours in the building were
selected to respond to its connection
with the surrounding area Dowzer says,
“reds for the redbrick and terracotta
of the Victorian buildings, and green
for the park immediately opposite the
building.” And these colours feed into
the interior as well, “Each floor has its
own colour, which helps to provide a
sense of ownership and connection to
the people on each floor.”
The concept of connection also
played heavily into the scaling of the
building, “I think that the building
responds to its immediate surrounds,”
Tabain explains, “it is a big building,
22 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredprojects
Colour, glass and steel combine in spectacular
fashion in the glass box entrance to the building,
providing the clear sense of transparency that
the bank wanted to achieve.
but it doesn’t overwhelm, in scale,
the immediate surrounds. It’s in a
long strip of shops that are all quite
thin and deep, so we tried to find a
matching look, and be respectful to
the surrounds.” Which was especially
important as the site had historical
significance with the remains of the
heritage-listed Lyric Theatre, which
had been gutted by fire in the late
60s. After discussions with the local
council, the theatre was removed and
replaced by an interpretive artwork that
is representative of the old theatre.
A lot of work also went into the
planning and development of the
internal street that all staff had to
travel through. There is only one
point of entry for the 1,000 people
who work in the Centre so a lot
of work went into enhancing social
communication in the space.
Regional Sustainability
h
From the outset of the project,
back in 2003, the bank wanted an
exceptionally sustainable building.
However, the bank’s intention was to
sell the building under a sale and
lease-back arrangement so it had to be
built to a commercial rate and remain
accountable to shareholders.
The biggest factors in achieving
the Bank’s sustainability goal were
environmental ones. As Dowzer
explains, “Bendigo’s climate is very
diverse – so it goes from incredibly
hot in summer, to quite cold in
winter.” To deal with this, the Centre
implemented a host of high-level green
innovations, including one of the very
first implementations of under-floor air
conditioning in Australia. “The under-
floor system places vents at everyone’s
desks, which allows individuals
to control their own environment,”
Dowzer explains, which makes it
vastly more efficient than conventional
systems as it uses displacement,
rather than mechanical ventilation, to
augment the return air. This massively
reduces the energy required to deliver
the building’s air conditioning.
Other features include movement
sensors all over the building that
help ensure lighting is only used
where required to meet statutory and
safety requirements; solar panels;
the exterior sunshades on the façade
to reduce heat loads; and a black
water recycling system.
“The big thing that didn’t make
sense financially was the black water
recycling,” Tabain says, “but in light
of the extreme importance of water
in Bendigo, the bank decided to go
ahead with it anyway.” The system
supplies water for toilet flushing, and
also supplies water to the gateway
fountain in the city.
“Water use and reuse in the building
was a major issue for us, given that
Bendigo has been in drought for the
last 10 years.” Holland adds. “But we’re
very pleased that we’re producing Class
A water from black water, it’s reduced
our potable water consumption from
just over 5 million litres, down to just
under 1 million.”
A Cohesive Construction
h
As it wasn’t possible to source
all of the necessary suppliers, sub-
contractors and expertise for the
project from Bendigo itself, the project
looked to Melbourne for a builder. “The
selection of a capable builder was
critical,” explains Project Manager
Ted Gallagher, from Gallagher Jeffs
Consulting, “and fortunately we
chose Melbourne-based Probuild,
who developed good relationships
with local contractors.”
This was particularly important as
the bank wanted to have as much
local involvement by suppliers
and sub-contractors as possible. In
many aspects of the construction
Melbourne-based contractors went
into joint ventures with local contrac-
tors to get the job done.
All of which leaves us with a building
that; thanks to its sustainability
features, high natural light levels and
more liveable, community-focused
work spaces; not only provides a
superb working environment, but
also proves that you can now build a
leading sustainable workplace project
in a regional city. And that’s quite
something.
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 How Did They Do That?
The Qatar National Convention
Centre’s Sidra Trees
Trees. We tend not to give them much
thought as we go about our daily lives,
but they have tremendous cultural
significance the world over. As sources
of shade from the sun, shelter from
the elements, meeting points and even
as natural playgrounds – people have
always been drawn around their trunks
and under their branches.
In the Arab Emirate of Qatar, the hardy
sidra tree occupies a special place in
the heart of the people. A symbol of
perseverance, nourishment, learning and
comfort in the harsh desert environment,
the trees have long been treasured by
poets, scholars and the Bedouin, all of
whom would gather in the shade of the
tree’s branches to exchange knowledge
and opinions. The tree's fruit, flowers and
leaves even form the ingredients of many
traditional medicines.
The sidra tree occupies a special place in Qatari culture. For thousands of years it has been a
symbol of perseverance, nourishment, learning and comfort in the harsh desert environment of
the Emirate, the shade of its branches a place to exchange knowledge and opinions - all of which
renders it ideal for entrance to the QNCC.
24 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featurededitorial
All of which makes it a fitting match for
the wonderful façade design of Japanese
architect Arata Isozaki’s entrance to
the Qatar National Convention Centre
(QNCC), a $1.3 billion dollar project that
will feature: 40,000m2 of exhibition space
spread out over nine halls and able to
seat up to 10,000 people for a conference
or banquet; a multi-purpose conference
hall that can seat up to 4,000 people
in a theatre arrangement and 3,200 in
a banquet arrangement; a three-tiered,
2,300 seat, lyric-style auditorium along
with two additional tiered auditoriums;
and 57 customisable meetings rooms. All
of which has been designed, and is being
built, to meet Gold-level certification
under the American Leadership in Energy
and Environment Design (LEED) Green
Building Rating System. Groundwork
has commenced on the second stage of
Rendering courtesy of 3DA Animation & Design
 How Did They Do That?
Topology optimisation software allowed the architect to essentially "carve" the form of trees in
the same way you would a block of clay, with the software calculating the optimum load-bearing
capacity of the structure as each section of material was removed.
construction; and the centre is scheduled
to open in the second quarter of 2011.
Isozaki’s design resembles two
beautifully intertwined sidra trees
holding up the building's exterior canopy.
The 250m long, curved steel structure
is already completed, and forms the
signature architectural feature of the
convention centre.
But how do you execute such a
design? The roof of the structure is a
quarter of a kilometre long and 30m
wide, and has to be supported entirely
by the two steel ‘trees’. The geometry
of these ‘trees’ is freeform, and they are
constructed of fabricated box girders
clad in both singularly and doubly-
curved steel plates – so engineering
the structural support for the roof was
an incredibly complex task.
Isozaki used a topology optimisation
program to design the trees. The
software was essentially used in the
same way you would a block of clay
– as the form of the trees was carved
out on the computer, the software
calculated the optimum load-bearing
capacity of the structure, and removed
material from unstressed sections
accordingly, the remaining material
forming the final shape of the trees.
The software however, couldn’t
account for the engineering and
fabrication challenges that are inherent
to a structure so large and complicated;
so the challenge was taken up by British
engineering firm Buro Happold, who
modelled, analysed, and optimised the
design before sending it through to
the Belgium-based contractor, Victor
Buyck Construction, and the fabricators
in Malaysia. As Buro Happold technical
director, Dr. Shrikant Sharma, explains,
the firm’s role on the project was,
"resolving the geometry and the
structure inside to make sure it will
keep its organic form while being
structurally efficient and buildable."
There are two main components to
the structure. The first is a structural core
26 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featurededitorial
Rendering courtesy of 3DA Animation & Design
of octagonal tubes; and the second, the panels became essential to maximising
complex, curved exterior skin of the trees. the efficiency of fabrication.
Each of the structural tubes is composed The freeform nature of the trees
of flat steel plates, kept as close to the meant that being able to identify each
exterior skin of the trees as possible. This individual plate; and the individual strips
two-part design allowed the structural that connected them; was a major hurdle
engineering team to create the detailed in understanding and communicating
design of the interior structure using exactly how all of the pieces were
conventional design codes. connected throughout every stage of the
The complexity of the design made design, fabrication and installation. This
3D-modelling essential, with the was because every plate had to be cut
relationship between the interior structure with a clear idea of exactly where it would
and exterior skin requiring a parametric go during the erection of the structure.
model to allow each of the components The complex system of labelling
to be individually identified and assessed involved each backing strip having
by the software. Digital modelling also notches and edge markings that
allowed the design to be transmitted and explained the specific direction in
interpreted easily, which was vital given which they should be installed. And
the geographical distances between this was coupled with an identification
the design and engineering team, the and numbering system that described
contractor and the fabricator. exactly how each piece fit into the
The 3D models were also used to overall structural system.
produce conventional 2D engineering In all, the engineering and
drawings for the interior structure of the construction of the trees was a
trees, but with the exception of some mammoth task for a highly complex,
general overview drawings, 2D drawings and exciting unique design. But it
weren’t used for the skin of the trees. is one that detailed planning, high-
According to Sharma, one of the end software and good old fashioned
project’s biggest challenges was brainpower managed to overcome.
minimising the number of double-curved
panels in the structure. Because although
it was possible for some parts of the
structure; like the straight sections of
a branch; to be made from cylinders
or conical barrels that only required
steel plates to be bent or rolled in a
single direction; other parts of the trees
required plates with two curvatures.
And the process for fabricating double-
curved steel plates is considerably
more expensive and time-consuming
than single-curved ones.
This meant that maximising the use
of the simpler panels became a key
priority in the design; for which one of
the major challenges was constructing
a steel structure with geometry that
not only had to appear smooth, but
would change direction constantly. So
focussing on implementing the simpler

PCM vs. CPM: The Rise of
Proactive Contract Management
There is an emerging school of
thought in the construction indus-
try that the Critical Path Method
of analysing programs and delays
(CPM), may have significant short-
comings and a reducing applica-
tion to contemporary construction
projects.
Proactive contract management
(PCM) is a new school of thought
that puts more emphasis on proper
contract management than slavish
dedication to the critical path meth-
od. Some say that CPM has built up
in the industry a mindset of delay
and excuses arising from its usual
application in traditional forms of
construction contracts. The basic
assumption implicit in any CPM pro-
grammed project is that the impact
of delays in some events can cause
cascading and further extended
delays in subsequent events (gener-
ally resources and program logic are assumed fixed).
With a standard form contract, a contractor has to ensure
that he discovers and documents any reasons/excuses for a
delay - so the focus is on justifying delay rather than accel-
erating the completion of the works, notwithstanding the lip
service paid to the contractual duty to “mitigate” the delay.
Some commentators point out that time is of prime impor-
tance in almost all commercial projects because; focus on contingency planning and mobilisation-of-resourc-
1. Costs increase in proportion to time taken in respect to many
of the inputs in a project
2. The interest cost of a development explodes with time, with
compounding interest the norm
3. Community expectations and market perceptions change
with time, and the difficulties of meeting either is increased
if there are delays in the project delivery
4. The longer a project is in the construction phase, the more
exposed it is to risks from a variety of causes
The PCM school of thought proposes that the discipline of time
management, and the requirement of time recovery without
cost penalties, is a more efficient and effective method of deliv-
ering results to all stakeholders in a project.
Contract management in this new perspective proposes a
new approach to controlling, by contracts, a project or program
of projects. It replaces the dominance of the usually technically
qualified project manager with a more equal weighting between
technical and commercial managers. So as the technical chal-
lenges become more conventional and the projects become,
effectively, repeats of previous ones, the commercial challenges
of bringing such projects in on time and budget become more
pronounced and more determinative of ultimate success.
Further, the programmer is freed from the constraints of
CPM and directed to producing rolling program locked on the
target of meeting the stakeholders time objectives.
The PCM philosophy is one of constructing contracts so
there are a range of management tools and strategies avail-
Legal COlumn
able to ensure that the contract
manager can deliver the project in
an orderly and managed fashion.
The approach also adheres to the
philosophy that the project can
achieve its time, cost and quality
objectives in spite of the difficul-
ties of potential costs, delays and
consequential risk experienced
along the way.
PCM exponents also adopt a
more rational approach, sharing
responsibility between provider
and principal; this requires the
provider to provide certification
for the delivery of each step of his
input into the project.
This certification is then verified
by independent observation, and
in this way on a comprehensive
and detailed certification on quality
and performance is maintained on
a continuous, real-time scale.
PCM also proposes a more rational resource-based
approach to timely performance by increasing resources to
areas that are falling behind their planned completion. PCM
proposes that, rather than putting pressure on explanations
for the delays, pressure is instead applied to removing those
delays. PCM offers far less dependence on artificial CPM link-
ages, critical paths, lags and leads; and considerably more
es, to address slippage as it occurs.
The PCM places less importance on the logical and
technical arguments, which in CPM can justify a small
delay on the critical path causing ripples of further
delays, resulting in untimely completion to the contract.
Instead, importance is placed on return on investment,
and the economic assessment of a project’s engineer-
ing procurement and construction management. Which
helps to emphasise minimising the costs of time recov-
ery, rather than simply accepting the industry’s tradi-
tional excuses for delay.
It places emphasis on good procurement leading, which
can lead to better design and construction, and places more
emphasis on the selection of providers with the appropriate
contingency planning and program performance.
PCM offers stakeholders a new and an innovative approach
to project delivery and is recommended for careful consider-
ation early in the procurement stage; as the benefits that can
come from its ability to minimise risk, are considerable and
increasing in a risk prone world.
For more information about this article, please visit
www.awardmagazine.com.au/featurededitorial
Jim Doyle
Doyles Construction Lawyers
| 27
 straight talk
straight talk With Ross de la Motte
Director, HASSELL
AWARD: With the competing forces of the
worst financial downturn since the great
depression, and the greatest financial
stimulus program in Australian history –
how are things fairing in the design and
architectural field? Are your work levels
up? Down? Relatively unchanged? And
where do you see the industry moving
with respect to new project starts over
the next 18 months?
ROSS: The profound changes in
business activity in late 2008 and
early 2009 were a real challenge
for the architectural profession. All
firms suffered and the impact on
some individuals and families was
very hard. The Federal Government’s
stimulus packages were very
welcome and have helped many
practices through a tough period.
Our practice has weathered this
period well even though our order
book has contracted significantly from
the heady levels of 2007/2008. The
diversity of the practice has made a big
difference and we have been able to
capitalise on our expertise in education,
health, research, and transport to make
up for the decline in private commercial
and residential work.
I am anxious about the next 12-18
months. While the current economic
indicators suggest a normalisation of the
economic cycle, I really hope that credit
begins to move more freely in the second
and third quarters of next year, when the
effects of the Federal intervention will
wane. After that we are going to be very
reliant on private investment decisions
to push the economy along, and I think
that’s just cause to be anxious.
I would say our mood is cautiously
optimistic. Australia has proven to be well
governed and financially prudent. We
have a wonderful abundance of natural
resources and ingenious people. So the
challenge for the country is not to sit
back and watch, but to drive forward and
create new opportunities with far less
reliance on the resource sector. If we are
still so dependent on iron ore, copper
and coal to balance our exports and
import ledger in 10 years time then the
Government will have failed its primary
obligation to safeguard our future.
Perhaps this was the recession Australia
28 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredsupplement
really needed to have, forcing the nation
to curb excesses and wanton expense,
and to focus on a more responsible and
balanced approach to personal lifestyles
and business practices. I hope we will
look back on this troubled time as a
new beginning, a time when we learnt
something profound about our society,
that we embraced ethical and prudent
business practices and that we created a
new ‘intelligent’ economy founded upon
sustainable values and real creativity.
AWARD: Do you think there is anything
firms could have done differently to avoid
being as ‘at risk’ as they were this time
around?
ROSS: In nature, ecological diversity is
the foundation of robust and enduring
ecosystems. The premise for business
and architecture is no different. If you
want to survive the highs and lows of
economic cycles you need a resilient and
diverse structure. Thus putting all your
eggs in say, the Sydney residential market,
means that you have high exposure when
the residential market contracts as it does
on a 5-7 year rotation.
Beyond this pragmatic assessment,
enjoyment in design comes from being
able to apply your intellect and creativity
to a wide range of problems for many
different clients. So it makes sense to
broaden your skills and apply your design
talents in other sectors and geographic
locations.
Diversity is a real strength in any
enterprise.
AWARD: What are the latest architectural
trends driving design concepts forward
in Australia?
ROSS: We are seeing a very strong push
for knowledge based design, design not
driven by fad or style but by thorough
analysis and intellectual rigour, design
based on natural systems and by
scientific method. It is refreshing and
long overdue.
In laboratory design and the health
industry generally government,
universities and the private sector are
looking to invest in services and facilities
that deal with profoundly important
social and public health challenges such
as researching treatments and cures
for diabetes. Architects who are at the
leading edge of this phenomena are
working hand in hand with clinicians
and scientists to understand the needs of
their new workplace, to challenge old and
redundant work practices and to design
new typologies for offices, laboratories
and research infrastructure. This is
knowledge based design.
AWARD: How have ‘green’ design
elements changed the way you work?
ROSS: HASSELL has always had a strong
environmental ethos. Respect for place,
correct site placement and orientation,
natural ventilation, an abundance of
daylight are fundamentals of good
design and our multi-disciplinary
practice of architects, landscape
architects, planners and designers holds
these principles dearly.
What has emerged is a wide acceptance
of this approach across the market,
the development of strongly analytical
methods and tools for the evaluation
and testing of design and construction
outcomes, the dissemination of new
approaches and the sharing of innovations
across firms and markets. Our clients
have been especially enthusiastic and
have been a major driver in the elevation
of sustainable design practices across all
their projects.
I think that, as an architect, if you do
not approach design with an intrinsic
regard for the land, for the conservation
of resources, to protect species, to
capture cooling breezes, to store water, to
celebrate light, you are not fulfilling your
obligations to the community at large and
to the profession. It is not optional. It is not
a nice thing to have. It is fundamental.
AWARD: Would you say these ‘green’
initiatives are coming more from
Architects or Building Owners?
ROSS: Good architects have always
pursued sustainable design as it
is the foundation of their philosophy,
but increasingly these ideals are
converging with the aspirations of
property owners who are including
high performance environmental
criteria in their briefs to architects.
 In recent years the environmental
imperative has also been coming from
prospective tenants; business owners
and managers, financiers, CEOs and
even the shareholders of companies
who are looking to move into new
buildings which touch the earth lightly
and use resources wisely.
The green push is happening across
a wide front. Thankfully it is not just
left to architects and building owners.
It is a result of a profound shift in
community values.

AWARD: When it comes to specifying

building products for the projects you
design, where do you typically source
them from? And do you have builders
and developers requesting changes to
your specifications often?

ROSS: Our starting point for

specifications is always to source
locally. Builders sometimes come back
to us with cheaper alternatives to what
we’ve specified, or with products they
believe are more appropriate. We will
assess these alternative proposals on
their merits but our strong preference is
always to support local and Australian
industry unless no comparable product
is available.
Sometimes substitute products
become an issue when a design is less
resolved; say when a project goes to
the market based on a sketch design,
as is the case with D&C procurement
models. In these situations there is a
lot more room for the builder to move
and it is harder for the architect to
retain control over the final installation.
The challenge for the design team in
these instances is to be proactive and
prepare documentation at this early
stage which provides greater detail
than would normally be provided under
a traditional procurement model. It
doesn’t necessarily involve more work,
but it does mean you have to think in
advance and be proactive. The trick is
to be savvy and to tailor your design
and services to ensure the integrity of
your design is safeguarded.

For an extended version of the

interview, visit www.awardmagazine.
com.au/featuredsupplement
 AWARDWORTHY: GOODS SHED NORTH

Boom Town Baby

goods shed north

it wasn’t even on the cards. The original

“Marvellous Melbourne”; that’s what they called the brief, back in 2006, called for a simple
city during the heady boom years of the 1800s. And refurbishment of the heritage building
into a mixed-use (office and retail)
Melbourne’s Docklands is going to get a taste of building without any real sustainability
focus. However, as Evalin Ling, the
the times again with redevelopment of the heritage- project’s ESD consultant from Norman
listed Goods Shed North between Bourke and Disney & Young explains, “The brief
changed dramatically from day one, and
Collins Streets to provide commercial office space, was eventually developed to meet the
and a new village-style precinct of restaurants and Green Star requirements demanded by
the potential tenants.” Which is perhaps
cafes along the aptly-named Village Street, that understandable, given that chief among
those potential tenants was VicUrban, the
forms the shed’s western border. Victorian Government's sustainable urban
development agency; who now share the
The Railway Goods Shed No.2, as it a highly sustainable, 5-star Green Star Shed with the Building Commission and
was rather straightforwardly called, rated, mixed-use commercial office and Plumbing Industry Commission.
was originally built in 1889 to help retail building. From a design perspective, one of the
accommodate the massive increase But how do you go about doing that? most exciting challenges was to work
in traffic to the Spencer Street railway It’s an exciting concept, taking a 120 with the shed’s soaring ceilings and lofty
yards at the peak of the boom, when year old, heritage-listed building and spaces to create an exciting, unique and
Melbourne – for a time – was second repurposing it as a flagship, sustainable enjoyable new style of workplace. And
only to London as the largest city in the development; but how do you balance architects Elenberg Fraser have done just
British Empire. This new $63 million dollar stringent heritage requirements on one that, working with the existing shed to
redevelopment; undertaken by Equiset, hand, and tough sustainability criteria on create a uniquely flexible interior, with
architecturally designed by Elenberg the other? open-plan floor plates and a mezzanine
Fraser, and completed in December – level to provide functionality and
has taken the northern half of the Shed, Something Old, efficiency.
h

which was originally almost 400m, or two Something New Key to the design was working with
city blocks, in length; and turned it into Well at the start it wasn’t an issue, in fact and complementing the heritage of

30 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredprojects

Renderings by Digital Fx
the original shed; which, as Elenberg
Fraser project architect Chris McMillan,
explains, meant “Preserving the large
spans and modernity of the existing
Shed; identifying the heritage elements
as artefacts; exposing the history of
the building; maintaining the shed’s
originality through elements like the
original industrial signage; cleaning
up and preserving the shed’s age; and
exposing the steelwork were all essential
to its redevelopment. And as such, all
insertions and steel structure added had
to follow the same constructive logic.”
Excellent indoor environment quality
was also a top priority Ling says, “with
high-frequency ballasts used in all the
fluorescent luminaries to reduce the
flicker affects of conventional lighting
systems that can cause eye strain; all
asbestos from the old building was
removed; all contractors had to ensure
that the sealants, adhesives and paints
they used onsite were low VOC; and
all composite wood products used had
to be low formaldehyde to minimise
interior pollutants for occupants.”
The original design included a
basement car parking level, however
poor soil conditions at the site meant that
it was not economically viable, and the
Main: The Lantern Building on the southern end
of the shed, as it will appear from the Collins
Street Bridge.
carpark was scrapped in 2007. This did
have a positive however, as it improved
the number Green Star points the project
was eligible for.
“The final design,” Equiset’s
Development Manager, Robin
Fernandes, explains, “consists of a new
4-level lantern building connecting the
southern end of the existing shed to the
Collins Street bridge and redevelopment
of the existing shed with a new ground
level and a mezzanine level with voids,
that in total accommodates approximate-
ly 9,700m2 of commercial office space
and 1,700m2 of retail space.”
Re-Structuring
h
Now facilitating this sort of
conversion to a heritage-listed building
is never a simple task, and the Goods
Shed required a number of fundamental
structural works to repurpose it for
commercial office and retail use whilst
maintaining its heritage overlay. These
changes included a new mezzanine
structure; a new 'Entry Galleria' at the
northern end of the shed; the 4-level
'Glazed Lantern' structure at the southern
end; and enough flexibility in the design
to enable an eventual conversion of the
commercial office space to retail in 10-15
years time.
To deal with these requirements,
Winward Structures were brought in
to provide the project’s structural and
civil engineering. “Fundamentally,
The main staircase entry to VicUrban's receptions original doors from the shed have been used on a
feature wall. The atrium of the lantern building provides natural lighting to the internal work spaces.
transforming a derelict, heritage-
listed shed into a modern office and
retail development requires careful
consideration of how much additional load
you can apply to the existing structure,
while minimising your strengthening
requirements and the need for new
vertical support elements." explains Sean
Ryan, Winward’s structural engineer on
the project.
At 120 years old, the age of the
existing structure; combined with lack
of maintenance and poor soil conditions;
posed major constraints to the structural
design of the redevelopment. However
through pile testing and 'Ultrasonic
Thickness Testing' of the main 'gutter
beams' by Bureau Veritas, Winward
were able to evaluate the capacity of
the existing structure and develop
rectification details, that minimised
the use of materials and remained
visibly unobtrusive – a vital part of
keeping the project both heritage
and architecturally acceptable.
The pile testing was carried out by
Golder and Coffey, and the results formed
the basis for the project’s structural
schemes, which utilised the existing
columns to help maximise the leasable
floor area. It was found that a lightweight
structure would be the most efficient
option; however, "There were floor
vibration issues associated with the large
spans of up to 9100mm, and the lack
of dampening weight,” Ryan explains,
Photos by Angelo Marcina
| 31
 AWARDWORTHY: GOODS SHED NORTH
Left: The approximately 200m view down the length of the shed, as seen from
the main lobby of the Collins Street lantern building. Clerestory windows in the
shed permit soft natural lighting throughout.
“though in the end, through modelling the
floor system under pedestrian foot traffic,
and by utilising the existing footings,
we were able to reduce the number of
new piles required and specify the most
efficient structural beam sizes possible;
which not only minimised costs, but also
helped to limit the effect of the vibrations
caused by the installation of precast piles
on the existing masonry walls."
The building’s age posed additional
challenges, including materials used
in the original structure, such as cast
iron columns, meaning that modern
construction techniques, such as welding,
could not be used easily. So the structural
details had to be creatively designed
in order to meet current Australian
Standards and not detract from the
building’s 'heritage' nature.
One of the biggest concerns for the
project team, “related to incorporating
all of the services required to achieve the
5-star Green Star design rating within
the existing structure.” says Equiset’s
Design Manager, Anthony Bortoli. This
was largely a result of the introduction of
the mezzanine level to the existing shed;
which cut into the available ceiling space,
reduced the space available to house
services, and threatened adequate head
heights. The fix for this was lowering
the existing ground floor level and, as
Fernandes explains, “Tightly controlling
the co-ordination of services and structure
to accommodate all necessary services.”
A Sustainable Shed
h
When VicUrban came on board as
the Goods Shed’s key tenant, sustainable
design immediately leapt to the forefront
of the project’s objectives. The project
aimed for, and achieved, a 5-star Green
Star Design rating. It didn’t come easily
32 | www.awardmagazine.com.au/featuredprojects
Photos by Angelo Marcina
Right: A ‘collaboration space’ with stepped seating and staircase in the
background. Space on the ground floor is flexible and can be used for
conferences and presentations. Recycled products have been used for
materials throughout.
however; as Ling explains; “Because
the Goods Shed is a heritage overlay
project, there were several considerable
limitations to achieving this, namely the
building envelope and shape of the 120
year old building.”
On the structural side of things,
Winward assessed several areas
where ESD points were achievable
and subsequently specified items
such as recycled steel content, cement
replacement in concrete and post-
consumer, re-used or FSC-certified timber
that were determined to have negligible
effect to the structural capacity of the
relevant elements.
In order to monitor the effectiveness of
the project’s ESD measures, the services
contractors are providing quarterly
building tuning for the first twelve months
of building operation, to ensure that their
services are performing well through the
seasonal changes.
In keeping with the design goals of
having as healthy an interior environment
as possible, air flow levels have been
made considerably higher than Australian
Standards require; which results in a
decrease of stale air build ups. To facilitate
this, carbon dioxide sensors and a control
system modulate the amount of outside
air that gets distributed into the shed.
On the lighting front, all lighting
fixtures in the Shed are energy
efficient; and all lighting switch zones
are kept to less than 100m2 in order
to minimise the energy wasted on
lighting unused areas. In addition to
this, all enclosed offices and meeting
rooms have separate lighting zones
and switches; and sub-metering has
been provided to all tenants, to allow
them to monitor their energy usage.
Further efficiencies have been built
into the shed’s external lighting, which
does not extend outside the building’s
boundaries or illuminate anything but its
intended object.
“A tri-generation system that uses a
gas-fired generator to provide electricity,
heat and cooling to the building with
the use of absorption chillers and heat
exchangers, to reduce the demand on
grid electricity and reduce peak load
demands.” Ling says, adding that, “All
HVAC equipment has no CFC or HCFC
refrigerant chemicals. And all of the
insulation used in the building is CFC and
HCFC-free too.”
The building’s potable water demands
are kept to a minimum through water-
efficient fixtures and fittings as well
as Greywater recycling and rainwater
harvesting systems. To help manage
water-use throughout the building,
meters have been installed to allow for
constant monitoring and leak detection.
To help encourage a happier, healthier
work environment, the project has also
incorporate considerable facilities for
cyclists, including bike racks, showers
and lockers. There are also provisions
for visitor’s bikes at the building
entrances.
A Good Shed
h
It’s an interesting dichotomy that
a building built to help accommodate
one era’s boom time, should find
itself repurposed in such different
economic circumstances. But with
its soaring ceilings and lofty spaces,
Goods Shed North makes for an
exciting and creative new style of
workplace, and offers a bold new
take on how we can repurpose
heritage architecture and existing
buildings for the 21st century.
Project Planning
Development approvals
Project structuring
Joint venture agreements
Planning appeals

Contract Documentation
& Administration
Design and Construction Contracts
Contract delivery systems
Claim preparation and defence
Advice and Contract Management
Extentions of time and acceleration
Disruption, delay and variation claims

Dispute Management
Negotiation
Mediation
Adjudication
Ligitation

DOYLES
CONSTRUCTION LAWYERS
Sydney Brisbane Melbourne Perth
Level 2, 148 Elizabeth St. Level 8, 239 George St. Level 1, 221 Queen St. Level 18, Central Park 152-158
Sydney NSW 2000 Sydney QLD 4000 Melbourne VIC 3000 St. Georges Terrace
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Phone: (02) 9283 5388 Phone: (07) 3034 3333 Phone: (03) 9620 0322 Phone: (08) 9288 1757
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www.doylesconstructionlawyers.com.au
Email: doyles@doyleconstruction lawyers.com
 sustainability column

The Green Light on Lighting

Australia’s Commercial sector is currently responsible
for an estimated 50 million tonnes or 10% of the country’s total
greenhouse gas emissions; with commercial buildings alone
accounting for the generation of approximately 13 million
tonnes, or over a quarter of those emissions.
Lighting usually accounts for 20 to 40% of the electricity bill for
most commercial facilities. So if you’re considering options for a
refurbishment or fitout, it is well worth doing your homework in
the early stages to explore economical lighting options that can
reduce both your energy consumption and, in turn, your energy
bills as well. There are host of terrific new energy-efficient light-
ing products on the market now, that can support you in your
quest for the right solution.
It’s worth the effort, as sustainable lighting options not only
reduce your business’ impact on the environment, they can
reduce the impact on your hip pocket as well.
But engaging sustainable lighting options isn’t merely limited
to those going through a refurbishment or new office fitout.
These days it’s actually quite easy to consider making changes
in existing tenancies as well.

Light Fittings
The vast majority of commercial buildings in Australia still
contain inefficient twin T8 fluorescent light fittings, which are
costing businesses millions of dollars in energy bills and caus-
ing unnecessary CO2 outputs. Making the switch from T8 tubes
to T5 tubes will reduce both your energy consumption and your
energy costs. T5 fluorescent lighting, which consumes approxi-
mately 30% less energy than T8 fittings, is currently considered
to be world’s best practice in commercial lighting.
As with most sustainable initiatives, there is a higher
initial outlay but long-term savings ahead. T5 fittings cost
approximately 25% more than T8s, so if a T8 light fitting
costs $100, the T5 equivalent will cost you around $125.
With the average 1000m2 floor plate requiring 145 fittings,
you can do the maths to see what the additional cost will be
and then look forward to energy consumption savings and
cost savings moving forward.
Moving on from T5, there is another product now on the
market called Envirolite e1, which is still a traditional tube
light, but one that uses less than 35 Watts of energy in the
time that a T5 uses 64 watts (confirmed by independent test-
ing in Optus Tenancy in South Melbourne).
Engineering tests have also confirmed that these Envirolite
e1 lights generate 55% less heat than a T5 fitting. Which
reduces the heat load on a building’s air-conditioning sys-
tem and, in turn, provides additional savings in both energy
costs and HVAC expenses.
Circuit Lighting
Another initiative is to install circuit lighting so that you only
need to turn on lighting in the areas being used. This is a par-
ticularly practical solution when you have employees arriving
earlier, or leaving later, than the rest; and allows people to light
up their individual area without having to light up the entire
office space. Circuit lighting can also apply to meeting rooms
that are not in use. It’s also possible to take this further and install
more sophisticated ‘zoned’ lighting, that uses infrared sensors to
engage lights when they detect movement.
Photo courtesy of Rothelowman
Dimmable, energy-efficient lighting fixtures tied into an automated lighting
control system. Sensors measure the natural light levels in the building, and
adjust the output of the lighting fixtures accordingly, greatly reducing the
energy usage of the fixtures."
energy consuming lighting options. Which, in turn, can have
a positive impact on your air-conditioning and mechanical
services, offering even further savings. It’s very important to
consider natural lighting alternatives during the design phase of
a refurbishment or new fitout.
The shift towards sustainable commercial environments is
pressing on full speed in Australia, and, as such; the list of suc-
cessful green star rated projects in the country is continuing to
rise. As the lighting component plays a very significant role in
green star ratings, it’s important for any new office fitout or refur-
bishment to consider how their lighting and energy consump-
tion options will become part of that shift to sustainability.
If you’re unsure where to start your journey towards energy
conservation there are consultants out there who can help with
services such as energy audits, water audits, environmental
assessments, carbon footprint analysis, lighting design, renew-
able energy system design and installation, grants and funding
consultancy.
For more information about this article, please visit
www.awardmagazine.com.au/featurededitorial

Natural Lighting
When it comes to office design, maximising the use of natural Andrew Holder
light can allow you to draw considerably less on conventional TDA Interiors

34 | www.awardmagazine.com.au
Australasian Head Office
66 Montpelier Road
Bowen Hills Queensland 4006
Phone: 07 3872 9900 Fax: 07 3872 9955
E-mail: info@furnituresystems.com.au
Web: www.furnituresystems.com.au
 TECHNOLOGY column

Technology the Power behind

Darling Downs Power Station Project
2,300 tonnes of fabricated steel; the concurrent Photo courtesy of DDCJV

construction of two major buildings for a new power station;

and just 9 months to do it in. It’s a lot to manage, but that’s
what Brisbane-based fabricators Steel Fabrications Australia
(SFA) took on when they won the contract to provide the
structural steel to Origin Energy’s new Power Station in the
Darling Downs region of Queensland.
Further to the initial contract, SFA also provided all of the
Pipe Racks required by the Power Station for both the trans-
porting of Liquefied Natural Gas and the delivery of steam to
the condensation and reclaiming structures.
With such a large task ahead, SFA turned to 3D model-
ling and Building Information Modelling (BIM) software to
produce accurate and detailed workshop drawings cust-
omised to their needs, and allow the export of Computer
Numerical Control (CNC) data and purchasing reports, to
assist in the coordination of erectable fabricated steel to
the site without delays.
SFA selected Tekla Structures for their BIM software. The
software’s 3D modelling clearly highlighted clashes of steel
connections, and aided the coordination of other areas of the
project. All of which was able to be easily communicated to
consultants via the use of screenshots or Public Web. The
software also allowed the three main areas of the Power
Station (the Gas Turbine Building, the Steam Turbine Building
& the Pipe Racks) to be modelled in a single 3D model, which
allowed the coordination of all 3 areas to be seamless. The
software’s multi-user design allowed the program’s tight
timeline to be achieved by allowing multiple modellers to
work on different areas of the building simultaneously, allow-
ing the drawings to be edited by multiple draftsmen at the
same time. This ensured the project was issued either on, or
ahead of time in most cases.
The software also eased the phasing of the project into
deliverable components, assisting the production staff in the
material ordering required for the fabrication of each phase.
The ease of phasing tasks within the software allowed this
to be completed prior to releasing each area for fabrication,
which meant the production manager could assess the real
time requirements of the project rather than having to make
snap judgments months before the modelling even began.
Models in the BIM software were exported in a number
of different ways, including; to assist with the coordination
of requirements for trades such as the mechanical ducting
and pipework; and for providing the client with a 3D DWG
format (a drawing file from AutoCad) which was passed onto
the trades to ensure that both the connections between the
structural steel and the equipment were correct, and that any
clashes with the pipework were avoided.
Another piece of software that became invaluable to the
project was FabTrol MRP, a Material Requirements Planning
(MRP) software which allowed SFA to import data from their
BIM software, which not only contained a full Document
Register and Bill of Materials with phasing, but also linked the
assembly/part drawings and CNC data for each of the items
to be fabricated. Having all of this information contained in
a single database allowed SFA to optimise the process by
allowing them to order only the material required for the
completed assemblies; track incoming material; track quality
The complex steel structure of the Darling Downs Power Station under
construction. Phasing the assemblies through BIM software allowed the steel
to be ordered, fabricated and delivered in an erectable sequence; which was
particularly important, as the fabricator did not handle the rigging.
assurance for each assembly (including delivery to site); and
made a wide range of reports available in real time.
Exporting the CNC files from the BIM software and import-
ing them into the MRP software allowed this data to be either
used by SFA on their own processing machines, or issued to
external plate processing companies. The use of the CNC data
saved a large amount of time in programming the machines
from drawings, and allowed the data to be simply imported
into the machine ready for processing.
Through the combined use of BIM and MRP software, SFA
were able to find the following savings for their business;
• Importing data from BIM to MRP (estimated at 85-90% time
saving for each release of drawings) to obtain doc control
and BOM.
• Production Tracking approx. 50% saving with retrieving of
data from the MRP software and saving approx. 80% of
time when requested.
• Purchase order and tracking saving of approx. 60% with
less waste of material via MRP optimisation.
• Customisation of BIM to suit the high quality of drawings
required by the workshop has enabled the fabrication to
follow through the shop with ease.
• Phasing the assemblies through BIM has allowed steel to
be ordered and fabricated to ensure delivered steel is in
a erectable sequence. Important to this project as Steel
Fabrication Australia were not the rigging contractor.
• Clarity of drawings produced from BIM on complex assem-
blies ensured the accuracy of fabrication.
For more information about this article, please visit
www.awardmagazine.com.au/featurededitorial
David Hart
Steel Fabrications Australia

36 | www.awardmagazine.com.au
Market Analysis
By Brooke Barr,
BCI Australia
In line with national construction forecasts for
2009, end-year analyses confirm a considerable
decrease in construction commencements across
the majority of sectors when compared to 2008.
Despite the gloomy conditions, several sectors
saw a growth in activity; partly due to increased
governmental funding and large-scale projects.

State Analysis
2009 saw November construction commencements more than halve themselves – down to A$4.51 from A$9.84 billion
in 2008 – according to BCI Australia data. Though a massive drop for a single month, the trend is in line with on-going
predictions that the construction market will shrink by up to 10.8% in 2009/2010, following a 7.6% contraction of the
market in 2008/2009.

The breakdown of construction commencements, by dollar value, in each State & Territory for November was:

• A$1.54 billion in New South Wales Construction Commencements comparison, by State

• A$711.45 million in Victoria 1st - 30th November 2009
• A$700.38 million in Queensland
• A$629.32 million in Western Australia
• A$465.25 million in South Australia
• A$392.74 million in ACT
• A$37.59 million in Northern Territory
• A$36.08 million in Tasmania

The major projects that influenced construction

commencements for the month were:

• Rail Clearways – Quakers Hill to Vineyard, NSW, A$432m

• Hallet 4 Wind Farm – Belalie East, SA, A$341m
• Rhapsody Apartments – St Kilda Rd, VIC, A$200m
• Star City Upgrade – Pyrmont, NSW, A$175m
• Gold Coast Highway Upgrade – Labrador, QLD, A$149m

Sector Analysis
A comparison of 2008 and 2009’s 3rd Quarter construction commencements clearly show the impact that the govern-
ment’s stimulus spending has had on the industry, with the infrastructure commencements leading the way – thanks,
in large part, to the much anticipated $603 million Eastern Busway in Brisbane.

Education is the other standout sector for the quarter, with the P21 ‘Building the Education Revolution’ scheme seeing
a plethora of schools receiving their final funding and commencing construction.

Construction Commencements comparison, by Sector The residential sector plummeted from $4,221 million
1st - 30th November 2009 worth of commencements in 2008 down to just $2,043
2008 2009 million in 2009 – the largest drop in any sector. This
suggests that developers are continuing to spend
6000 5549 conservatively in the wake of the global financial crisis,
but also points to the difficulties they are facing in
5000
4346 4221 trying to secure building contractors at the moment –
4000 many of whom have a deluge of government projects
3000 2579 currently on their books.
2234 2178
1902
2000 1584 1644 1558
1282 968
1159
975 900
By contrast, utility projects saw a massive increase
496 762
1000
354 551 319 720 398 468 in the 3rd Quarter of 2009; the largest of any sector
259 162 110
0 by far; with numerous sewerage and water treatment
re

plants, such as the $15 million Barcaldine Pump

on

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re
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ans

Station Upgrade, getting underway.

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Retail
Ind

Health
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Utilities
Ed

Ho

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Industrial
Co
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Education Recreation
Inf

| 37
 FEATURE PRODUCT SHOWCASE
WINDOW FILM

Film Pacific
Product Description
Eco friendly, cost effective with a high-class
appearance window film is the answer for
your next project. Window film is applied
to the interior or exterior surface of glass
windows and doors. Our film has a powerful
adhesive on one side that permits secure
bonding to the glass. As well as a clear,
scratch resistant coating on the outer side
preventing the exposed surface from being
damaged.
Product Applications
Window film can be used for variety of
purposes. Film Pacific imports and sells
the largest range of window films for,
commercial, domestic, safety, security,
anti-vandal, anti-graffiti and automotive
applications. Additionally we lead the
way with a selection of decorative and
graphics film.

Product Benefits
Some of the benefits for your next
project include, reducing energy bills,
increasing the energy rating and
keeping your costs down. Film Pacific’s
solar control films prevent up to 83%
of solar heat passing through a glazing
system ensuring your project harnesses
the ultimate in energy conservation. A
buildings internal temperature becomes
more stable with less heat escaping
in winter or entering the building in
summer.

Product Type
Night Owl 22 is a new generation of
architectural film. Nano particles replace
traditional reflective layers creating a
film with ultra-low interior reflectivity,
high heat rejection, guaranteed
durability and excellent glare reduction
so your clients get the best possible
outcome when night vision is required.

With all the concerns about global

warming, it is also nice to know that
Night Owl 22 is a green product.

2 Easy ways to request additional

information on this product
1) Online: awardmagazine.com.au/productdirectory
2) Fax: completed address card at the front of the magazine.

2
38|www.awardmagazine.com.au
| www.awardmagazine.com.au
 FEATURE PRODUCT SHOWCASE
TEXTURAL GLASS - THE IMPRESS RANGE
Cydonia
Product Description
Cydonia the Glass Studio is the leader
when it comes to architectural art glass
and with this new range of textural glass,
incorporating tight lines and precise
repetition of pattern, we are world first.
With simple sleek designs, our Impress
range of textural glass is able to fit into
just about any glass application, keeping
a modern look that won’t date.
The Impress range of textures was five
years in the making and has had an extra
two years since in production.
Proudly Australian owned and made,
Cydonia’s textural glass has been
exported all over the world.

Product Applications and Features

U Cydonia’s Impress range of textural glass
incorporates cutting edge technology in glass
that has never before been able to be produced.
U The Impress range of textural glass features
tight and accurate design that is easily able to
be customised to suit your needs.
U Can be used for just about any application
where you would use normal, flat glass,
however without the need for constant cleaning.
U Without the need for constant cleaning,
Cydonia’s Impress range of textural glass
is low maintenance and more eco-friendly.
U Gives you privacy while still allows light
to be transmitted through.
U Able to be used in commercial and residential spaces.
U For strength and safety, the glass is toughened to
Australian Standards and is able to be made using
6mm, 10mm and 12mm thicknesses of glass in a
variety of colours.
U Able to be double glazed.

2 Easy ways to request additional

information on this product
1) Online: awardmagazine.com.au/productdirectory
2) Fax: completed address card at the front of the magazine.

AWARD| 39
|7
 ASSOCIATION MATTERS
Let There Be Light
In the past, the sun had a central
role in illuminating building interiors
by day. But with the flick of an
electric switch, artificial lighting
loomed large in our buildings.
However, there is growing evidence
that increased reliance on artificial
lighting can have a detrimental
impact on occupant health, wellbeing
and productivity. Artificial light can
influence the natural pattern of our
circadian rhythms, leading us to
feelings of depression, poor sleep
quality, lethargy, and even illness.
With most office workers spending
90% of their days indoors, it’s
hardly surprising that the indoor
environment quality of buildings
– including access to natural light
– can impact productivity and
performance.
The Heschong Mahone Group has
published a number of studies which
examine how daylight affects human
performance. For instance, a 1999
study of more than 21,000 students
found a dramatic correlation between
daylit school environments and
Time to Focus on the Future
The Australian Constructors
Association’s recently published
Construction Outlook report (October
2009), has forecast tough conditions
for the engineering and commercial
construction sectors over the next
two years.
The Global Financial Crisis (GFC)
and its aftermath have impacted every
sector of the market. And although
we now appear to be on the road to
recovery, and many would describe the
current stage of the economic cycle as
the “quiet time” in reality, it’s the time
where our industry as a whole should
start looking to the future.
For example, the Association of
Professional Engineers, Scientists and
Managers, Australia, has formed an
alliance with Engineers Australia, the
Association of Consulting Engineers,
the Australian Academy of Technology,
Science and Engineering and the
Australian Council of Engineering Deans
to address the problem of Australia’s
national engineering capacity and
its costs, in terms of lost opportunity,
national productivity and international
competitiveness.
This Taskforce will be working on a
suite of projects to explore and analyse
40 | www.awardmagazine.com.au
student performance, including a
20% faster progression in maths and
26% faster progression in reading.
A 2003 study into office worker
performance revealed that workers
in call centres processed calls up to
12% faster when they had access to
the best possible view versus those
with no view. A pleasing view was
found to improve mental function
and memory recall of office workers
by up to 25%, and they were the
least likely to report negative health
symptoms.
A further Heschong Mahone study
into the affects of daylight in the
retail environment found that the
value of the energy savings from
natural light was far overshadowed
by the value of the predicted increase
in sales. “By the most conservative
estimate, the profit from increased
sales associated with daylight is
worth at least 19 times more than the
energy savings, and more likely, may
be worth 45-100 times more than the
energy savings,” the report found.
Access to daylight is not just a
supply, demand and skills formation
issues by industry/sector, co-ordinate
best practice solutions, and develop
new policy proposals in education, the
labour market, and migration.
The Federal Government has also
established a National Resources
Sector Employment Taskforce that
has been charged with developing a
comprehensive plan to assess skill
needs and to deliver the large num-
ber of skilled workers required in
the resources sector over the next
several years.
In recent weeks the Federal
Government also announced increased
support for apprentice commence-
ments over the coming summer. This
is a very positive and timely initiative
that will ensure that the mistakes of
past downturns aren’t repeated.
A healthy Australian economy is
reliant on a strong skills base and
in the past the construction industry
has too often let its investment in
training decline during downturns.
That invariably results in skills short-
ages that cost the economy dearly as
we struggle to achieve equilibrium in
the labour market during the years of
recovery.
productivity booster. One 2005
study into the effect of sunlight on
patients undergoing spinal surgery
found that lighter and brighter
rooms in hospitals contributed to
stress reduction and that patients
experienced less pain and used less
analgesic medicine. Another study at
the Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre in
Canada found that depressed patients
in sunny rooms recovered 15 per cent
faster than those in darker rooms.
Clearly, applying simple green
building practices, such as providing
access to natural light, can have a
significant impact on people’s health
and wellbeing, mental function and
productivity.
The Green Building Council’s Green
Star environmental rating tools
encourage and recognise designs
that provide good levels of daylight
for building users.
Romilly Madew
Chief Executive, Green
Building Council of Australia
Whilst it is generally acknowledged
that the productivity and performance
of the Australian construction indus-
try is extremely high by international
standards, the industry does have an
image problem – one with unstable
employment prospects, an aggressive
and sometimes hostile work environ-
ment, an aggressive commercial envi-
ronment and questionable health and
safety performance.
It is important therefore that we all
ensure the legacy of the GFC is a posi-
tive one for those who will be expect-
ed to meet the nation’s construction
challenges over the next 20 years.
Our collective goal, as; employers,
clients, employees, unions, designers,
subcontractors and suppliers; should
be to develop a stable, profession-
al, high-performance industry that is
attractive to young people seeking
long-term careers, and to clients and
other investors looking for a stable
industrial environment and profes-
sional execution skills.
Jim Barrett
Executive Director
Australian Constructors
Association

ACEA Launches "Sydney
Towards Tomorrow" Report
Sydney is an international city
with a vibrant culture, strong business
and economic opportunities and a
diverse community.
However, Sydney’s infrastructure
needs (particularly transport infrastruc-
ture) have not kept pace with the rate
of population growth within the Sydney
basin, or with the needs and expecta-
tions of the community or industry. This
trend is not only set to continue, but if we
are to prepare adequately for the future,
the ACEA Infrastructure Roundtable
contends that Sydney should be plan-
ning now for the infrastructure required
for a larger population target.
Sydney Towards Tomorrow has been
developed to provide thought leader-
ship, promote community debate and
prompt more integrated and thorough
planning, so that Sydney might live up
to the vision of being the world’s most
liveable city with a population of 10+
million by 2050. It has provided a forum
for innovative thinkers from across a
wide range of engineering and consult-
ing firms to develop a plan for Sydney
(the Newcastle/Sydney/Wollongong
conurbation) as the ‘City of Cities’. The
Persistence Ensures Privacy
for Landlords and Tenants
While the Property Council
supports the central parts of the Valuation
of Land Amendment Bill 2009, we have
consistently highlighted its flaws. We
initially expressed our concerns in our
submission to the discussion paper,
The Future Direction of Rating Authority
Valuations in Victoria. The Property Council
also conveyed these concerns directly to
the Minister for Environment and Climate
Change, Hon. Gavin Jennings MLC.
The Bill gives the Valuer General
the ability to establish and maintain
a central data base (valuation record),
and information on this record could be
disclosed and sold to the public. If enacted,
this will erode the privacy of owners and
tenants as they would have to supply
a range confidential “source” data that
pertains to Capital Improved Valuations
(CIV) and Net Annual Value (NAV) on the
record. At present, this source information
is provided to municipal authorities but is
kept confidential.
plan integrates sustainability into infra-
structure planning to provide a robust
strategy to respond to the challenges,
which is flexible and adaptable to the
uncertainty of the future while maintain-
ing Sydney as a vibrant community.
Sydney Towards Tomorrow identifies
key priorities that will help to address
Sydney’s future infrastructure require-
ments. It advises and recommends the
policy, planning and regulatory reforms
required to help protect Sydney’s future
growth and prosperity. Its strategic
focus is on urban planning integration
and transport infrastructure rather than
providing a list of infrastructure priori-
ties for Sydney.
The report details five key recom-
mendations;
1. One Plan for Sydney - Focus on
quality medium density urban forms
within the existing urban footprint
and high density around existing
transport corridors and nodes. This
means an increased focus on urban
consolidation and less focus on
fringe development. Live, work, play
communities delivered by a struc-
ture planning process that brings
Additionally, no other States or
Territories disclose source information
that is part of CIV and NAV. The Victorian
Valuer General confirmed that neither will
Victoria. However, the Bill is not clear on
this point and this has been our central
concern. Based on this, the Property
Council has constantly advocated for an
amendment to exclude CIV and NAV
source data from the valuation record.
Through persistent advocacy to
the Victorian government, and after
engaging the other political parties, the
Property Council sought an assurance
from Minister Jennings to address this
uncertainty with the Bill.
Minister Gavin Jennings affirmed that
it is important for the property industry
to have a high degree of certainty
and safeguards in place. The Property
Council’s amendment will not change
valuers' powers, set out in the Valuation
of Land Act 1960 to obtain source
information from tenants and landlords,
ASSOCIATION MATTERS
together all elements of infrastruc-
ture in a single spatial strategy;
2. Infrastructure that delivers carbon
neutrality to Sydney via both short-
term sustainability based procure-
ment and longer-term sustainable
planning;
3. Abolish the transport tax base and
introduce a user pays system;
4. Consolidate local urban councils
from 42 to 11 (in the Sydney Basin)
and one regional council for each of
Newcastle, Illawarra and the Central
Coast; and
5. Reform governance structures so
that there is one body responsible
for the policy, planning, safety and
funding of transport infrastructure
management, development, main-
tenance and operation across all
modes.
A copy of the report can be accessed
from the ACEA homepage.
Megan Motto
Chief Executive
Association of Consulting
Engineers Australia
and makes no change to the range
of source data that valuers require.
This means that property descriptions
and valuations will be available on
the valuation record. Significantly,
“source” data” (such as retails sales,
annual turnovers, tenancy, and leasing
information) will not be included on the
statewide valuation record.
The Minister will introduce a change
to the legislation making it clear that
any confidential “source” information
relating to CIV and NAV will not be
included on the valuation record. The
Property Council appreciates Minister
Jennings’s recognition of our long
held position and in correcting this
anomaly. This will protect the privacy
of landlords and tenants.
Jennifer Cunich
Executive Director
Property Council of Australia
(Victoria)
| 41
 ASSOCIATION MATTERS
Precast Activities to Focus on
Education in 2010
Officially declared in February
2008, the National Code of Practice
for Precast, Tilt-up and Concrete
Elements in Building Construction is
now being progressively adopted in
all State jurisdictions.
To help the industry understand
the requirements of the new Code,
National Precast is running two new
half-day workshops in Adelaide,
Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane
and Sydney through May and June
of 2010.
The first workshop is called ‘Precast
+ Safety: Designing for Safety Using
the National Code’, and has been
developed for engineers, builders and
precast manufacturers.
Attendees will learn how to plan for
the erection design of a building using
precast; identify the responsibilities
of those involved in the planning
process from design through to
erection; analyse risks in erection
design, planning and construction;
recognise safe handling practices
from manufacture to installation;
and identify the documentation and
42 | Award | www.awardmagazine.com.au
legislation used in erection design
and construction.
Topics include duty holder
responsibilities, proposed penalties,
design, risk management, handling,
storage and transport and the effect of
construction on existing structures.
The second workshop is called
‘Precast + Safety: Erecting with
Safety Using the National Code’, and
is aimed at builders, erectors and
precast manufacturers.
Attendees will learn how to identify
the responsibilities of those involved
in the planning process from design
through to erection, as well as how
to implement safe erection processes
and recognise the safety factors of
erecting precast.
Topics include duty holder
responsibilities, proposed penalties
and the stages of the erection process
(including planning, safe work method
statements, bracing and propping,
superimposed loads and levelling
shims).
In addition to these workshops,
National Precast will also continue to
run its successful one-day seminars
‘Introduction to Precast for Structural
Engineers’ for less experienced
engineers and those who wish to build
their skills about precast concrete.
On top of the busy education
programme, National Precast will
also continue on with its other
activities, including continuing
to sell the new (edition 2) Precast
Concrete Handbook; developing new
Standard Walling & Flooring Detailing
Manuals and a new Recommended
Practice for the Design, Manufacture
& Installation of Sandwich Panels;
producing its quarterly National
Precaster publication; participating
on several Australian Standards
Committees; and exhibiting at the
major national construction industry
exhibitions, Form & Function and
Designbuild.
Sarah Bachmann
National Precast Concrete
Association Australia
 SWAN SERVICES

www.swanservices.com.au