Recognising engineering excellence, Arup and the Australian Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction Innovation won Project of the Year at the ACEA awards. The two organisations were jointly awarded the ACEA’s major overall award, for the development of a world class facilities management system for the Sydney Opera House.
Arup and the CRC for Construction Innovation also received the Gold Award in the category of Information and Communication Technology.
Judges described the iconic Sydney Opera House as an exemplar project which demonstrates the value of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology within a world class facilities management tool. Arup worked closely with Utzon Architects and Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) to create a coordinated structural and architectural ‘as constructed’ model. This model was originally led by JPW with their involvement of key elements dating back to 2002. Arup then worked with the CRC and the Sydney Opera House on the Building Information Model that will help manage the building’s systems and provide a framework for future refurbishments.
Arup used BIM to create a 3D model with linkages to components in existing Sydney Opera House database schedules, with the potential for future linkages to all maintainable building elements. This provided a framework for the venue's proposed web-based, asset management system.
Dr Robert Care, Arup Chief Executive Officer, was delighted with the firm’s collaboration with CRC and the recognition the project has received. “Arup is tremendously proud of its ongoing association with this wonderful building. As engineers of the Opera House, it is deeply satisfying that we have received our industry’s highest accolade for our ongoing, innovative work with the building and our very supportive client. Such an industry endorsement is also a great recognition of our thought leadership within the sector.”
Arup also won the Gold Award of Merit in the building category for the structural and civil engineering design of Aurora Tower in Brisbane. This tower which has now become an admirable addition to the Brisbane skyline provided Arup with complex technical challenges. Creating a feature high rise building on such a small site required Arup to undertake highly technical computer analysis and wind tunnel testing to determine loadings and structural integrity. The project also included the preservation of a heritage building.
In addition, Arup senior engineer, Daniel Lambert received a commendation in the Future Leaders Award section. Daniel Lambert works as Manager in Arup Water in Melbourne and has demonstrated a significant contribution to the firm, working on notable projects such as Melbourne Cricket Ground, Burwood Square Development in Melbourne and K2 sustainable housing in Windsor, Victoria among many others.
Daniel was also commended for his work with international aid organisation WaterAid. In 2006 Arup developed a partnership with the organisation and Daniel has acted as Arup Australasia’s Global Working Group representative in this partnership. In this role, Daniel has organised educational, fundraising and practical engineering programs to support and promote WaterAid as well as being selected from 9000 staff to attend WaterAid’s support visit to India.
“Daniel Lambert is, in my mind, an exceptional future leader. Already he has been entrusted with roles of significant responsibility, and I have seen him strive to deliver on these to the highest standard. That said, I have also seen him carefully balance his work responsibilities with the community roles he holds outside Arup. I have been impressed with Daniel’s desire to support others - at work and in the community,” Dr Care said.
The Association of Consulting Engineers in Australia (ACEA) Awards for Excellence are renowned as Australia’s most prestigious awards program offered in the Engineering industry locally.