St Mark's Primary School

St. Mark's Catholic Primary School is located in the parish of Drummoyne, Sydney. BSE was recently appointed to the project entailing the removal of demountable buildings and the addition of new buildings to accommodate new classrooms and a new library.

BSE is working in conjunction with Thomson Adsett architects and is delivering mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fire and acoustic engineering services on the project that aims to be a reference for primary schools design with creative and innovative solutions.

End of Year Office Closure

BSE's Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne offices will be closed from mid-day 23 December 2016, re-opening Monday 9 January 2017. 

From everyone at BSE, have a safe and happy holiday period. 

BSE appoints Associate Director

BSE is pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Johnson as Associate Director – Buildings & Infrastructure in the Sydney office. Stuart has joined BSE from a large engineering consultancy and will drive the management and growth of the Buildings and Infrastructure team in Sydney.

Stuart is an experienced professional engineer with senior level experience within the construction industry and brings a wealth of project experience to the organisation.

Commenting on the appointment, Craig Slorach had this to say

““The appointment of Stuart strengthens our building and infrastructure team, offering a greater level of engineering input, with especially in the health sector”.”

— Craig Slorach, Director

Guests are treated to cocktails and cars

BSE holds client events to offer unique and engaging opportunities for our guests, clients and business partners. This year, BSE’s management team hosted a client function at North Sydney’s Classic Throttle Shop car showroom, set underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The heritage listed building houses some of the most immaculate, interesting and beautiful classic cars from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

Our guests were able to mingle with the BSE team and enjoy an evening of great food, drinks and an appreciation of some of the finest classic cars.

Event photos are available here: 

Cocktails & Cars

BSE welcomed clients and business partners to an evening of cocktails and cars at North Sydney's Classic Throttle Shop. Guests were treated to interesting and beautiful cars, excellent food, drinks and friendly networking. 

Management Recognition in QLD

BSE has recently recognised the efforts of Bruce Skipp and Tim O’Regan in the BSE Brisbane office. Bruce and Tim manage the Building and Infrastructure and Fitout and Refurbishment teams (respectively), and have been promoted to Associates within the business. Both have showed great leadership in expanding and improving their teams and the recognition is testament to that.

Bruce Skipp, Buildings & Infrastructure Manager, Tim O'Regan, Interiors & Refurbishment Manager 

“As we embark on our business growth strategy, it is essential that we have hard working and talented senior team members like Bruce and Tim in our business. I am pleased how they have developed and they will play an important part in the development of our business. ”

— Cameron Webb (BSE QLD Director)

BSE appoints Senior Hydraulic Engineer

BSE is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Turner as a Senior Hydraulic and Fire Protection Engineer based in the BSE Brisbane office. Phil’s remit is to deliver hydraulic and fire services across projects primarily in Brisbane but also our Sydney and Melbourne offices.

Phil is an industry leader in hydraulic and fire services and has previously worked for a number of leading engineering businesses in Australia and New York. 

Osteo Technique Lab at Vic Uni

BSE recently provided all building services engineering for a project at Victoria University in Melbourne which included the creation of a new Osteo Technique learning space, with wash-up room and locker storage. The project totalled 270sqm on Level 5 of the building.

Happy as a Pig 'N' Whistle

Happy as a Pig ‘N’ Whistle  

Our BSE Queensland office is proud to have an association with Mantle Group including the Pig ‘N’ Whistle chain of restaurants. We have been commissioned to design the new Pig ’N’ Whistle at Redbank Plains which will be the seventh offering. As with our previous projects for Mantle Group, BSE is providing Electrical, Fire, Mechanical and Hydraulic services engineering. 

This latest venue will have an 850sqm inside and 500sqm outside area and will be located at Town Square in Redbank Plains. The development will also include a new Coles supermarket, Aldi, Target and 60 other specialty stores. The development is scheduled to open for business at the end of 2016.

BSE’s Interiors Group Leader in Queensland Tim O’Regan commented “Having worked with Mantle Group on previous projects, we have developed a clear understanding of the needs and requirements for the space. We have enjoyed helping to develop the concepts that are driving the growth of the brand in Queensland and beyond”.

Other Pig ‘N’ Whistle locations include Indooroopilly, Riverside, Queen Street Mall, Brunswick Street, King George Square and West End.

First of it's kind in Melbourne - VIC Roads

BSE has played a pinnacle role in the development and delivery of the new VicRoads’ service centre which recently opened in Melbourne.

The New VicRoads digital service centre located at 113 Exhibition Street is the first of its kind in the CBD and will assist customers through a range of traditional VicRoads transactions which are now also available online.

BSE was appointed to provide building services engineering for the design and delivery phases of the project which included combining two existing tenancies and some shared space.

The service centre is estimated to serve up to 800 Victorians daily

A touch of sparkle for the latest Quality Standard

The International Standards Organisation has recently released the updated ISO9001 as the “most effective… and relevant” refresh, adding a touch of sparkle to the world of quality management! 3 years in the making, the updates are the of hundreds of industry stakeholders, labs, academia, researchers, government and NGO’s all committed to bringing 9001 into the present. A response to the significant changes in technology, business diversity and global commerce, the standard recognises the greater prevelance of the services sector and how they deliver quality outcomes to industry.

BSE’s Sydney office recently undertook our scheduled quality system re-certification, and undertook the extra work to bring systems up to date from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015.

While certification bodies will allow companies up to 3 years to bring systems in-line with newly released standards and maintain certification, BSE’s leadership team identified the benefits to clients, project partners and operations in advancing as soon as possible.

BSE’s quality team reviewed the ISO 9001:2015 standard with a fine tooth comb and updated the quality management system and documentation accordingly. An internal training program was developed and rolled out to all Sydney team members, embracing the new standard and detailing how everyone contributes to meeting commitments. All participants were deemed competent in the QMS training.

The quality team have a comprehensive internal audit program and training platform which made the updates deemed necessary smooth to roll out across the business. 

Our team is confident that maintaining and embracing ISO 9001 certification will ensure we maintain our projects to the highest standard.   

More information is available directly from ISO: 
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?refid=Ref2014

Engaging with the Ageing

Last week, members of the retirement industry gathered at the Property Council of Australia’s 2016 Retirement Forum in Sydney.

BSE was proud to sponsor this event which brings together operators, developers, financiers and consultants focused on delivering outstanding experiences to residents and users of facilities.

Images: Right center: BSE's Craig Slorach addressing the delegates. Bottom Row: Expert panel and discussion participants. 

Industry leaders delivered addresses on opportunities for improvement, the increasing importance of home care and optimal models and reform and deregulation of the market.

A panel discussion delved deeper into the details of aged care reform with panel members from across the industry.

The practical steps to recognising dementia in retirement villages and how to best deal with it was passionately discussed in the afternoon session, followed by the pivotal role of leadership in the industry.

Nadine Champion delivered an inspirational message of changing your life with 10 seconds of courage, which BSE’s own Godfrey Frederick was able to demonstrate on behalf of all attendees.

Images: Nadine Champion addressing the delegates and BSE's Godfrey Frederick showing his 10 seconds of courage. 

BSE thanks Impact Group for co-sponsoring the event and PCA for the hard work and dedication in producing such an outstanding event. 

Solar Gains in Geraldton

Geraldton’s Bunnings Warehouse has installed a new network of 384 solar panels (photovoltaic) on the building’s roof, making it possibly the city’s largest solar system. Buildings with a footprint or more appropriately, available roof space such as a Bunnings store are ideal for the use of the sun to generate electricity for the buildings consumption.

BSE is the national sustainability consultant for Bunnings and designed the new system. BSE developed the system including a trial at numerous pilot sites before instigating an ongoing photovoltaic system roll out across Bunnings sites in Australia.

The 100 kilowatt system will generate enough power on a sunny day to run roughly thirty average Australian homes, and is expected to provide about 18 per cent of Bunnings total power needs at the site. Using new micro-inverter technology, each panel is individually controlled allowing it to run extremely efficiently.

The growth in the use of solar generated power across Australia is reducing the reliance on traditional power stations to meet energy demands. This is buoyed by the amount of solar availability in the Geraldton region, which is the amount of days of pure blue skies, meaning that it’s probably one of the most viable regions for photovoltaics in Australia.

Bunnings has a very strong and ongoing commitment to sustainability across its national property portfolio and BSE is proud to be a partner of Bunnings and helping it to be as energy-efficient as possible wherever they operate.

Student Accommodation Win

BSE has been appointed as the electrical engineering consultant with N&P Contracting for the largest off campus student accommodation development in Australia.

The Woods Bagot design in the inner Brisbane suburb of Buranda for Singaporean developer Wee Hur Holdings Ltd, will see accommodation for 1,600 students being introduced to the Brisbane market in 2017.

The development will feature 1,600 student accommodation rooms in two apartment towers, twelve commercial tenancies for shops and restaurants and an expansive student common area at the podium level that includes a communal kitchen, theatrette and gym.

Partnership with Shape and Domain Continues

On the back of the successful Domain Group level 5 fitout at 100 Harris Street Sydney designed by Siren Design and built by Shape Group, BSE is excited to have been appointed for the 2nd stage of this project.

Domain will occupy the ground floor and level 1 areas of this historical warehouse building with BSE delivering the electrical, mechanical, fire and hydraulic building services design, as well as architectural lighting services.

Teaming up with the designers from Siren Design, BSE’s architectural lighting team will design an illumination solution that works to enhance the form and textures of this incredible space. 

A night in old Havana… BSE joined the PropertyBlitz volunteer crew for a Tropicana extravaganza!

Friday evening (29 July 2016), BSE was thrilled to continue our support of the important work of the Property Industry Foundation.

BSE team members, Godfrey Frederick, Jessica Sims and Robert Newman (pictured here) joined PIF’s PropertyBlitz team as volunteer Table Captains - making sure PIF’s guests and donors were well looked after and had a fantastic night!

Guests from across the property and construction industry were treated to a sophisticated 1950’s Tropicana nightclub themed dinner with Caribbean music, dance and unstoppable entertainment.

National Business Development Manager, Godfrey Frederick recalled the evening… “The Gala was a high energy and tropical night, so fantastic to see such representation from across the property and construction industries coming together to support such a great cause!”.

BSE congratulates PIF and all sponsors for a hugely successful evening. We are proud to continue our association with PIF.

You can read more about their continued efforts to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk young people across Australia here: www.pif.com.au.  

Goodstart Early Learning Centre

Goodstart Early Learning Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that is committed to investing its profits on improved early learning resources and its facilities.

BSE has been appointed by TSA Management for the new Goodstart Early Learning Centre project at Broadway on the Mall, 133 Adelaide Street in Brisbane. The project has completed the detailed design phase and construction documentation has commenced.

BSE is proud to be associated with this project and looks forward to the upcoming stages of the project.

Excellence in Architecture and Engineering

Sydney 385, in Balgowlah is a 4-storey mixed use development with 10 residential units, one retail tenancy and two commercial tenancies. BSE was appointed to design the building services engineering on the project which was successfully completed in late 2015.

The simple concept masks an individual and unique, yet spacious design incorporating numerous lighting styles. BSE worked closely with the design team for the co-ordination and planning of the building services which was a necessity to achieve an exposed concrete style with concealed services.

The architect, Smart Design Studio, were fantastic to partner with for this development and we are so pleased that everyone’s effort and dedication has been rewarded in the 2016 AIA Awards in the Residential Architecture category.

New Brisbane office appointment: Andrew Aitken

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Aitken to the role of Senior Electrical Engineer in our Buildings and Infrastructure projects team. Andrew will help support the management and growth of the Buildings and Infrastructure team in the Brisbane office.

Andrew is a seasoned professional engineer with more than 25 years’ experience within the construction industry and brings a wealth of project experience to the organization

Commenting on the appointment, Brisbane Director Cameron Webb commented, “Andrew is an excellent addition to our Senior Team here at BSE, and brings considerable experience to our business.  Andrew will add to our senior engineering skill set and his experience in client relationship management and sustainable development will support the many opportunities that exist to develop existing and new client relationships in Brisbane". 

Design completion of Jordan Springs Community Centre

Jordan Springs, the award winning community has been designed to create a village atmosphere and is defined by its outdoor lifestyle and green space. Upon completion, Jordan Springs will be home to a community of 6,500 residents.

The Jordan Springs Community Centre will be a hub for the community and will comprise a hall/ function room, multipurpose activity room, meeting and IT rooms, kitchen facilities, parent’s room, accessible change rooms, covered and open outdoor spaces, car and bicycle parking and amenities.

BSE has been appointed to deliver electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, fire services and sustainability solutions in conjunction with architectural firm Davenport Campbell and Lend Lease as the Project Manager and Builder.

Leading edge, sustainable innovation on the project includes the use of geothermal heat transfer and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT).

Building air-conditioning is supplied via an efficient, direct exchange geothermal system which uses the constant temperature of the ground for transfer of heat. Conventional cooling and heating systems rely on air temperatures for heat transfer that vary on a daily basis whereas ground temperatures remain relatively constant. Consistent heat transfer provides both greater energy efficiencies and reliability in performance.

The building will also utilise CLT. This form of construction is becoming more prevalent across Australia with the first manufacturing plant in Australia to open in 2017.

Apart from being a sustainable solution, CLT has many advantages, including: 

• Carbon-neutral construction 
• Light weight allowing more economic foundations 
• Shorter construction time with pre-manufactured CLT elements 
• CLT allows immediate access and easy procedures for follow-on trades and can reduce installation times by up to 50%

BSE is excited to be involved in the design of this leading edge development and looks forward to assisting in the construction completion stages going forward. 

Ostwald Brothers Project - Brisbane team is recognised at AIA Awards

Congratulations to our BSE Brisbane team for their engineering input on a project that recently received a commendation at the Australian Institute of Architects Brisbane awards.

The BSE team worked in conjunction with Architecture firm Harry Poulos and provided all building services engineering for the Ostwald Brothers project that entailed the conversion of a derelict industrial warehouse into a multi-level, modern commercial office. The project called for the latest data / communications and BMS systems and incorporates state-of-the-art technology. This project can now be entered into the AIA State awards