39 Hunter Street - Australia’s first heritage-listed building to achieve a six star Green Star Office design rating – won the Building and Structures category at the 2010 NSW Engineering Excellence Awards.
In judging the award great emphasis was placed on the impact the nominated projects have on the economic and social life of Australia.
Arup project director and Principal, Paul Sloman, collected the award at a ceremony held on Friday 16 September in Sydney. "Receiving this award confirms the terrific work delivered on a substantial and sensitive refurbishment project and showcases the benefits of city retrofitting in achieving sustainable design” says Paul. The award marks the third consecutive year Arup has won this award in New South Wales.
Together, Jackson Teece, Arup and Hyder worked on the existing fabric of 39 Hunter Street – a 90 year old office building in Sydney’s central business district – embodying the “reduce, reuse and recycle” philosophy. The design team’s challenge was to ensure the building retained the historic features and aesthetic advantages of its era, while applying innovative design interventions to ensure it also exceeds modern standards for efficiency, sustainability and environmental quality.
A new central atrium floods the building with natural light and creates an internal focal point that compensates for the building's lack of external views. The result of this and other multidisciplinary sustainable design measures is a carbon efficient building that is once again a considerable asset to the city of Sydney.
Another Arup project, the Aldar Headquarters Building in Abu Dhabi, was highly commended in the same award category. The 23-storey commercial office building is at the heart of Al Raha Beach, one of the Middle East’s largest developments. Aided by the use of advanced 3D modelling, the structure’s fully glazed design is completely circular in elevation and curved in all other directions. To enhance its aesthetic appeal and views from within, Aldar Headquarters features an external steel diagrid which eliminates the need for internal columns.
Australia’s Engineering Excellence Awards help to raise the profile and professional standing of engineers and celebrate the achievements of individuals and the construction industry. Winners of each regional award are invited to submit their entries for judging at the national award ceremony in November.