Queensland’s Largest Police Station opens

BSE team members recently attended the opening of the largest police station in Queensland. The Brisbane City Police Station is a new $13.5 million facility which is now home to approximately 300 police officers.

The station has multiple floors totalling approximately 5,100sqm and features holding cells, interview rooms, general office, training spaces and a control room for managing events around the CBD.

 BSE delivered a range of engineering services including fire, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, security and audio visual, to help create an environment that will provide Queensland Police Service with the tools and flexibility to complete their tasks efficiently.

 BSE worked in conjunction with Queensland Police Service, Harry Poulos Architects, Building as Asset Services (BAS), Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA), Blades Project Services, and Abri Projects and is proud to be a part of the project team.

 You can read more about the project here: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-s-largest-operational-police-station-opens-in-brisbane-s-cbd-20190320-p515zr.html

Curved fins of iconic architecture shines over Sydney’s skyline

The Arc By Crown is a $250m residential mixed-use development on Clarence Street that has set sail with the curved fins complete on the striking buildings. The development is now fully operational with the rooftop garden and Horizon Lounge providing a new perspective on the Sydney skyline.

This iconic tower located in the Sydney CBD comprises of a 25-storey tower including a mix of 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, 42 serviced apartments and two levels of specialty retail. This is a building with state-of-the-art building services and amenities second to none in the residential market.

 Koichi Takada Architects (KTA) designed this impressive structure alongside developer Crown Group. BSE designed the electrical, mechanical and fire services engineering respectfully with the existing heritage façade on the lower levels requiring an innovative design approach.

Photo Credit: Alexis Cella from Ethos Urban

Refreshed PIF

BSE were pleased to be among guests at PIF’s brand re-fresh and calendar launch, hosted by WT Partnership in Sydney recently. Kate Mills, CEO of PIF provided her vision for the evolving organisation – Building Homes for Homeless Youth, with her commitment to clear and simple messaging, a national approach to industry engagement as drivers to increase beds built for homeless youth.

The insights provided by PIF Ambassador Greg Paramor AO were generous - philanthropy rather than charity and the unimportance of wealth in relation to giving, with the conclusion that no one is better placed to have an impact with transition accommodation for homeless youth, than the property industry.

BSE has been a passionate supporter of the Property Industry Foundation for many years, as a corporate donor, fundraiser, event supporter, and through initiatives allowing our team members to volunteer their time at fundraising events and provide their technical expertise to PIF building projects.

CSR Prequalification received for BSE’s Victorian Office

BSE’s presence in Victoria continues to flourish, with the team receiving Construction Supplier Registration pre-qualification from Victoria’s Department of Treasury and Finance in February 2019. The Construction Supplier Register (CSR) is an open pre-qualification scheme for construction works and services suppliers for Victorian Government construction projects.

Occupational Health and Safety is a crucial aspect of BSE’s successful CSR application, prioritising the health and safety of our team members and the occupants of the spaces we design. As Designers under Section 28 of Victoria’s OHS Act 2004, our approach to design ensures that users of workspaces designed by BSE meet the requirements of the Act for our clients and project partners, by identifying hazards and eliminating or minimising the potential harm through engineering controls as far as reasonably practical.

Australia’s OHS/ WHS landscape continues with complexity despite attempts to standardise legislation and approaches across different state and territory jurisdictions. Operating across Australia, BSE’s commitment to workplace health and safety is founded on consistency and specialised local knowledge. A comprehensive system that meets the requirements of our different office and project locations while providing compliance with varying local obligations.

Combining WHS commitments under BSE’s certified quality management system (ISO9001:2015) ensures that business and project goals are aligned, while promoting safe, quality engineering design and team member health and safety.  

Project Flashback | Amazing ‘Gracewood’

BSE is proud to be associated with the seniors living and aged care development for the multi-award winning Gracewood independent living community in Kellyville.

 The seniors living project which opened at the end of 2016 is two new residential seniors style apartment clusters for the stage 2 addition to the Baptistcare Gracewood Community. The new apartments comprise eighty (80) 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments that are integrated with the existing development.  Additionally, a new state-of-the-art aged care facility known as the Gracewood Centre has recently opened becoming home for 138 residents, who will have access to all levels of care, including 32 specialised dementia care rooms.

 Both developments were constructed by Lipman.

 BSE’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Fraser commented, “BSE has provided a range of building services engineering consultancy for the Gracewood development since 2013. In that time, we have watched Gracewood grow to become a major community of people enjoying retirement living in the heart of the Hills District”

Grand Opening for Pyrmont’s commercial atrium

The Atrium at 60 Union Street in Pyrmont held its grand opening on January 31st . BSE’s team leader on the project, Ryan Kidd was in attendance and commented on the opening “ It was great to be part of the opening ceremony which marks the culmination of two years works on site for BSE. With BSE first being engaged in 2017, initially working as part of the client’s design team, with our onsite role developing to include novation to the contractor (Buildcorp) to undertake design completion of the electrical, fire and hydraulics services. Furthermore, being engaged by multiple office and retail tenants within the building for completion of their internal fitout design works, the finished article looks well worth the effort. Particular challenges included the correct specification and location of services while considering both functional and aesthetic details to maintain the architectural intent of the various spaces”

The Atrium is a mix of commercial office (16,500 sqm) and retail space (3,000sqm). The Atrium was built a decade ago and the owners AFIAA  identified the opportunity to enhance the building by creating a new end of trip facility, upgrade of floors, new lift lobbies and amenities.

BSE successfully partnered with the project team to deliver our engineering services from project inception through construction and post construction support.

A new creative space for the children of Western Sydney

A new creative writing hub in Parramatta has recently opened for children around Western Sydney. The new centre was officially opened by Mr Jihad Dib, Shadow Education Minister. Story Factory provides an opportunity for children to author their own novels, write poetry with the guidance of storytellers, tutors and volunteers. The workshop space is aimed towards marginalised youths and their goal is to continue this through schools and at their Redfern Centre.

 Andrew Fraser, CEO of BSE has given his personal time and provided consulting engineering advice on the project. Andrew Fraser commented that “BSE is grateful to be able to assist the Story Factory in establishing yet another of their unique and inspirational workshops “

 BSE encourages team members to volunteer their time to worthy causes, by donating a portion of hours for pro-rata or volunteer work each quarter. Team members have been actively involved with the Property Industry Foundation for many years through this initiative.

Photo Credit: Story Factory

An environmental and sustainable focus at Suez fitout

BSE was engaged by Engine Room VM for services design in a new space for Suez, located at 3-5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes. This project involved a two-floor commercial office fitout for Suez over approximately 4,000m2, including collaborative workspaces, breakout areas and private meeting rooms to the client’s specific and innovative ‘wish-list’. With an environmental and sustainable focus, BSE tailored our design solutions to the vision with soft lighting, natural finishes and focus on operational efficiency.  

Photo Credit: Simon Whitbread Photography

BSE provided electrical, hydraulic, fire and mechanical services engineering from concept design through to construction services and inspections, partnering with Engine Room VM, RFA Architects & Schiavello Construction and Suez’s executive team to deliver this project on time and budget.

Photo Credit: Simon Whitbread Photography

Winners for NSW MBA award – Bishop Barker House

BSE’s Sydney team is honoured to be a part of the project team for the award-winning Bishop Barker House. Through Architect Mayoh Architects, Berents Project Management and builder, Stephen Edwards Constructions, the project received the award for NSW Best Student accommodation project over $7.5 million in value. This was awarded to Bishop Barker House at the Kings School, Parramatta.

Photo Credit: Stephen Edward Constructions

 The Bishop Barker Harris House project involved major additions and alterations to an existing structure to construct a new three storey boarding house. The new facility includes dorm rooms and a range of study and recreation areas.  

 BSE delivered mechanical, electrical, fire services, and vertical transportation works for all stages.

Maggie Xia (Senior Electrical Engineer) who was BSE’s team leader on the project commented “this is a fantastic success for the whole project team. This was a challenging project as we had to work within an existing building shell to create a successful outcome. Many challenges related to the engineering services were overcome during the design so that all services have been designed to compromise the existing building structure with minimum impact or penetration. All services have also been designed to suit various construction types and fire rating under bushfire hazard. We are really happy to have contributed to the success of this project”.

Photo Credit: Mayoh Architects & Stephen Edward Constructions

Seasons Greetings From BSE

BSE conquers the Amazing Race!

BSE’s Sydney team participated in an Amazing Race event as part of our EOY celebrations around Sydney CBD disguised as superheroes!

Our team members were mixed up into groups – Batman, Iron Man, Captain America, Superman, Hulk and Spiderman -  and completed a range of challenges around the city which tested their knowledge of popular culture, Sydney history, creativity and the ability to cooperate as a team.

Congratulations to the winning team! Lead by Kresimir Mali, Godfrey Frederick, Ping Lu and Catherine Nguyen made up Team-Spiderman who were the clear winners.

 After the win, Kresimir had this to say: “Fantastic event! We had a great time! The team really enjoyed the interaction and activity combined with a bit of fun and friendly competition. The event was a well-organised and memorable experience”.

The Future is bright! PCA’s Future Directions Miami Nights!

Inspired by 80’s throwback fashion and the fabulous Flamingo Lounge in Potts Point, members of our Sydney office attended Property Council of Australia’s Future Directions end of year celebration Miami Nights!

This event has been a fixture on our industry participation for many years and is one of our favourite opportunities to network and debrief on the achievements and lessons of the year with our colleagues and business partners.

 Thank you to the amazingly hardworking Property Council NSW events team, Future Directions Committee and all guest that made the evening such as success!

BSE’s attendees: Jessica Chesser, Ryan Kidd, Solomon Aluague and Maggie Xia.

Work, Health and Safety First!

BSE’s Victorian team members Ale Rizvi, David Fairbank and Huey Liew strutting with their hi vis vests and hard hats at a site inspection at Urbanest’s site in Carlton.

BSE is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all team members and having the correct PPE is one of our many approaches to ensuring work activities are conducted safely.

BSE Victorian team: Ale Rizvi, David Fairbank and Huey Liew

It’s Celebration time!

BSE would like to thank our clients and partners for attending our End of Year Celebration at The Star yesterday evening in Sydney. To mark another year of project success, our guests were hosted with plenty of champagne, fresh oysters and canapes with a roving slight-of-hand magician keeping them all entertained! It was a great opportunity to reflect on the year with clients, project partners and friends.

 Our teams have extensive experience in hospitality and entertainment facilities, including The Sovereign Resort at The Star which is a major development with works currently in construction.

 We believe in strong partnerships with clients for the success of projects, and look forward to 2019 with enthusiasm and passion!

See more photos of the event here

Construction works for a new $8million restaurant precinct at Camden CBD is underway

Camden Vale Milk Company, also known as ‘The Milk Factory’ has started the construction process for the new $8 million-dollar restaurant precinct.

With the heritage building built in the 1928s being restored as part of the refurbishment process, this exciting new space will cater to locals. There will be five new cafes/ restaurants, function centre complex and 79 car parking spaces. The site area is approximately 1437m2 and located 100m from the heart of Camden CBD.

BSE Sydney team is currently the building services engineers for this project with Bespoke Holdings as the Project Managers. The engineering services being provided for this project includes: electrical, mechanical, fire, hydraulic and vertical transportation services.

Maggie Xu, BSE electrical engineer commented that “The project aims to restore an historic Camden icon back to his original glory and BSE would endeavour to provide the services to best suit the historic elements and meet the needs of modern users.”

BSE wins award for Goodstart Early Learning Centre, Brisbane

BSE is thrilled to announce that we recently received the AILA Queensland Landscape Architecture Award 2018 in the category of Play Spaces for the Goodstart Early Learning Centre development at Adelaide Street, Briosbane. Partnering with Greenedge Design, our approach transformed a heritage- listed building into a functional and exciting childcare centre.

Photograph Credit – Greg Thomas & Goodstart  

The newly opened day-care facility maintains the heritage-listed façade, while bringing the space up to today’s standards with a mechanically-controlled rooftop playground. The centre has 14 separate classrooms that all open up to the playground, providing all users with access to the beautiful space.

BSE delivered this project with TSA Management as project managers, Gray Puksand as architect and Greenedge as landscape architect. BSE provided electrical, mechanical, fire and hydraulic services engineering.

Throwback Thursday: Herbert Smith Freehills in at 480 Queen St

Herbert Smith Freehills relocated to new office premises in Brisbane in 2016. The move saw HSF relocate from Central Plaza in Queen Street where they had been for almost 20 years.

480 Queen Street was selected by Herbert Smith Freehills as its new premises and BSE partnered with Lend Lease to provide audio visual, hydraulic, fire, electrical and mechanical services engineering for the multi floor fitout. The building has a 6 Star Green Star design rating and a 5 Star NABERS energy rating and is a market leader in sustainability. The new workspace provides Herbert Smith Freehills with new technology that enables mobility, flexibility and efficiency. This innovation ranges from state-of-the-art meeting room technology to individual user desktop technology.

National Business Development Manager Godfrey Frederick commented, “BSE is proud to have maintained a great working relationship with DEXUS Property Group who own 480 Queen Street and our involvement in many of the high-profile fitouts in the building will see us actively involved on site for years to come”.

BSE Sydney team celebrate TACO day!

BSE’s Sydney team threw in some hot jalapenos and sizzling grilled meat on their Tacos last Thursday. A vibrant Mexican fiesta provided a great chance to catch up with all the staff and to celebrate recent project achievements all in the name of International Taco Day!

Revamp of Commercial Ground Floor Lobby opens

The Atrium at 60 Union Street is currently undergoing a repositioning to future proof the commercial rental return and the building itself in the Pyrmont area. The eight-storey tower building was built a decade ago and is a mix of commercial (16,500sqm) and retail space (3,000sqm). The owners AFIAA identified an opportunity to enhance the building by creating a new end of trip facility, upgrading of floors, new lift lobbies and amenities thus transforming the building to an open, inviting and high-end commercial ‘A Grade’ building.

Images from Crown Projects

This month, the Ground floor Lobby was opened to the public. In collaboration with Crown Project Services, BSE is delivering a range of services including electrical, fire and hydraulic services on the project.

BSE’s wins at the Master Builders Riverina awards

BSE is delighted to announce that the redesign project with Zauner Constructions at Young Tafe has won the Category Award and Regional Commercial Builder of the Year award!

Young Tafe revitalized their regional campus to provide an educational space for students, staff and community. BSE was involved in the redesign and offered professional mechanical and electrical consulting services for project. BSE offered engineering services including revising the lighting, power reticulation, communication system, infrastructure, new emergency lighting and warning systems. The revised specific spaces cater for students in across many industries including children services, aged care/nursing, hair & beauty, business studies, electro-technology etc.

BSE is proud to have collaborated with such a great consulting and building team for an exciting project to assist the Young community. We hope that this would be a great place for present and future skilled professionals!