Last night, BSE celebrated 30 years of engineering excellence. The event was attended by past and present clients, project partners, and team members who gathered to commemorate BSE’s journey—from a two-person operation in 1994 to a business of over 100 people today.
A demonstrated team and project leader, Solomon Aluague brings over 15 years’ experience in ESD principles, design and documentation of mechanical design and engineering to our Sydney team as our Interiors & Refurbishments Lead. Solomon’s project leadership, understanding, knowledge and skills offer clients a passionate problem solver who produces exceptional project outcomes for clients and business partners.
BSE was engaged by Viva Leisure to provide mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and fire protection engineering design services for the new Club Lime Rosebery.
Today marks the grand opening of Five Guys at the Martin Place Metro Station! This 96-seater location is the fifth in Australia. BSE is proud of our continuing collaboration with Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, having worked on all five stores.
BSE was engaged by Mont Projects to provide mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and hydraulic engineering design services for the fit-out of GroundUp Studio's first location in NSW, situated in Alexandria.
Congratulations to Maggie Xia, Senior Electrical Engineer in our Sydney Buildings Team, she has recently achieved Chartered Engineer status!
Maggie has been an invaluable part of our team for 6 years, with over 10 years’ experience, Maggie never gets flustered, always over-delivers and has embraced our True Partners approach to project delivery!
Image courtesy of Total Synergy.
Recently, Jessica Chesser, our National Operations Manager, spoke with Total Synergy about the business transformation cloud based platforms provide to businesses in the AEC sector.
BSE believes our True Partner approach extends beyond our project commitments and project partners, and extends into our business connections as well.
You can read the full profile here:
https://totalsynergy.com/jessica-chesser-building-services-engineers/
In honour of International Women in Engineering Day, we’ve been sitting on this profile until today, we’re speaking to Siti Mustaffa. Siti has been with BSE for less than 2 years and already feels like she has been with us forever, in the best way possible. Siti brings dedication, passion and fun to our teams and is an incredible presence for the women involved design and engineering in Canberra!
New Legislation for Residential Projects, is your project ready?
We sat down with our NSW Director, Stuart Johnson to get a clear understanding of how the new Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 will change delivery for our project partners in NSW.
While there is an increased obligation and a changed risk profile through the Act, BSE strongly believe that this legislation promotes accountability, transparency and best practice, quality engineering and design solutions offering occupiers, tenant, owners, and users of the building with exceptional outcomes. The intent of the Act is to facilitate an integrated design approach, allowing improvement in industry practices from the outset of project concept.
At its core, the DBP Act brings in:
Professional Engineer Registration
Design Practitioners
Regulated Designs
Design Compliance Declaration
Building Practitioners
The DBP Act applies to all BCA Class 2 buildings (multi-unit residential) and any building with a Class 2 part.
Half of the eighteen classes of Design Practitioners apply to building services and fire safety systems delivery, with BSE having our team ready to be registered in each class relevant class of design practitioner.
Stuart has outlined the impacts of 1 July 2021 will have on your residential projects:
Regulated Designs…
In accordance with the DBP act, after 1 July 2021 regulated designs are required to be lodged for construction certificate prior to commencement on site. Any variation to this regulated design during construction (e.g. coordination changes, value engineering, product substitutions etc.) need to be updated and re-lodged prior to commencing that variation work. Designs that reflect the installed work are required to be lodged for occupation certificate and any changes to these designs (e.g. defects rectification) are required to be re-lodged within 90 days of OC.
Building work has not started…
If you have not started building work under a particular complying development certificate or construction certificate before 1 July 2021, the full requirements of the DBP Act applies to you. This applies regardless of whether your construction certificate or complying development certificate was issued before or after 1 July 2021.
Building work has started…
If you have started building work before 1 July 2021, the new rules do not apply to the work that has started under that construction or complying development certificate. However, the designs you have relied upon will still need to be lodged prior to occupation certificate. Any subsequent building work started on another certificate or variations to the current design after 1 July 2021 will need to comply with the new rules.
Designs by an ineligible designer…
Where designs have been prepared before 1 July 2021 by a practitioner who is not eligible for registration, those designs will need to be reviewed and a certificate, provided that they comply with the Building Code, by a registered Design Practitioner. The Design Practitioner can provide the Certificate even if they were not involved in supervising or coordinating the design.
We believe that the DBP Act will clarify responsibility of design work and will improve the overall quality of construction in the future. It may change your current methodology for procurement of design consultants prior to construction certificate and throughout construction, which may impact preference of Design & Construct or Construct Only engagements.
If you would like further clarification, or to discuss how the DBP legislations impacts your current and future projects, please reach out to our team!
Our resident PIF Champion, and 30 Day Challenge leader, Godfrey Frederick was delighted to present our donation from our hardworking team to the Property Industry Foundation!
With a goal of $1,000 our team smashed this with $1,255 funds raised to this great cause!
PIF Champion, Godfrey Frederick with novelty oversized cheque for 30 Day Challenge donation!
Godfrey even grew a handlebar moustache to increase some donations!
Thanks to our team for their hard work, covering 1,110kms: Godfrey Frederick, David Luck, Michael Syposz, Linda Cotterill, Amelia Fraser, Jackson Arico, Nicki Fraser and Siti Mustaffa.
The Property Industry Foundation exists to solve this problem of youth homelessness. They bring together the property and construction industry to build homes for homeless youth through the PIF House Program. For more information on PIF’s great work, head over to their website https://pif.com.au/
As Australia and BSE continue to recover from the pandemic, for the first time in 18 months we were able to wrangle our Directors and State Leads into one location! Together for some thorough catchups and conversations, and of course plenty of coffee! Finishing their time together, with a great meal at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron with a bottle (or two) of the good red stuff.
Andrew Fraser, CEO commented “Creating and maintaining a close working relationship between our regional teams underpins BSE’s national and local delivery approach. Our True Partners mantra exists for our clients and also for all of our team members. Growing the trust and bond between our people is where the future of BSE’s growth and project innovation lies”.
NSW Director, Stuart Johnson and ACT Regional Manager, Brendon Newham are both musicians and keep suggesting (or threatening) to actually get a BSE band together! We’re still trying to work out how excited we are with this idea.
Pictured, left to right:
Orlando Cavuoto, Stuart Johnson, Cameron Webb, Amanda Webb, Nicki Fraser, Godfrey Frederick, Andrew Fraser, Brendon Newham, Terrence Hing
Image taken in Sydney, prior to current Melbourne lockdown.
A new 20,000swm workplace for Rio Tinto, as anchor tenant in the new Midtown Centre in Brisbane. Taking Levels 20 to 26 the fitout by COX Architecture, includes a central atrium with floating stairs, outdoor terraces, exceptional end of trip facilities, wellness centre, boardrooms, meeting rooms, offices, workstations, collaboration spaces and amenities.
BSE’s team delivered electrical, communications, mechanical and lighting, for all stages of this scope, including concept and detailed designs, support through tender and construction stages, commissioning, and defects period.
Working with COX Architecture’s vision for a central atrium and floating staircase, our team delivered designs fit for purpose with lighting and conditioned air systems. To meet BCA requirements, a creative smoke exhaust design was identified and documented for the atrium/ stairwell feature to meet building code requirements while maintaining the integrity of the architectural impact.
Architects visualisation, Atrium view. Courtesy of Hutchinson Builders.
NEWS | The Fifth Estate, Poppy Johnston, took a deep dive into this project!
Hint: try the ‘before and after’ graphic tool halfway down to see the amazing transformation:
Street view of Midtown Centre, during final stages of construction. Courtesy of Godfrey Fredreick.
Covered by the ABC in 2020, Jessica Hinchliffe profiled Midtown Centre in this Australian first project! Learn more about this incredible design and engineering triumph:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-25/two-buildings-become-one-in-australian-first/12277142
Construction progress of Midtown Centre. Courtesy of Fender Katsalidis.
Two 1970’s office towers in Brisbane’s city centre are getting a new lease of life, driven by environmental considerations. The buildings are being stitched together through innovative design by Fender Katsalidis architects. In 2021, this exceptional building will be complete offering a single address of 44,000 square meters NLA, A Grade office space, 5-star green star office space with average floors of 2000 square meters (up to 2600). This $175M investment provides tenants and users of the building with first class integrated amenities in this landmark building.
BSE’s team delivered electrical and mechanical design across all stages of the project from demolition advice to reduce waste and leverage re-use options, through detailed design right through to construction documentation and advice.
Extensive refurbishment to a base building structure requires a solution driven approach, from minimal penetrations to increased ceiling heights, BSE’s team provided innovative concepts and practical solutions. The result is significant increase in ceiling heights for tenants and users of the space, made possible by creative mechanical design and planning with the use of Kingspan ducts, low temp VAV and swirl diffusers.
Architects visualisation - external facade of Midtown Centre. Courtesy of Fender Katsalidis.
This week, BSE are profiling an extraordinary project in Brisbane, Midtown Centre, is a game changer! See this great story put together by the BBC:
Architects visualisation - Street view of Midtown Centre. Courtesy of Fender Katsalidis
Our Queensland team has been delighted to partner with this exceptional team and deliver innovative design solutions!
JV Partners: Ashe Morgan, DMANN Corporation
Project & Development Manager: DMC Projects
Architect: Fender Katsalidis
Builder: Hutchinson Builders
Civil/ Structural: Inertia Engineering
BSE Director: Cameron Webb
Stay tuned the rest of this week for more on Midtown Centre!
BSE are currently recruiting in all our offices! Here, Jessica Chesser, shares more details about these opportunities in the video below.
Electrical Engineer, Sydney https://www.seek.com.au/job/52256680
Electrical Engineer (Grad), Brisbane https://www.seek.com.au/job/52277516
Electrical Engineer, Melbourne https://www.seek.com.au/job/52302755
Electrical Engineer, Adelaide https://www.seek.com.au/job/52238400
Fire Services Engineer, Canberra https://www.seek.com.au/job/52302655
Further details on our Careers page.
Celebration time! This week, National Volunteer Week, BSE are celebrating our team members who volunteer and all volunteers who are so incredibly important to our Australian community and way of life.
In Queensland, Tim O’Regan, a SES Volunteer for 7years (pictured here with SES Members during an activation, second from right) who’s commitment to his local community is incredible and focused on empowering people to help themselves and others in times of emergency and disaster.
Tim O’Regan (second from right), pictured here with SES Members during an activation. Image courtesy of SES QLD.
In New South Wales, David Luck, a St Johns volunteer for 14 years (pictured here, for a live weather cross with Sam Mac on Sunrise recently), who supports the community by delivering health and community services, fundraising, event support and youth programs. David is committed to St Johns as it is a rewarding way to meet new people, help the community, and save lives through First Aid and advanced pre-hospital care. David is currently the Area Manager for Sydney Central Hub and is a long-term member of the Bicycle Emergency Response Team.
David Luck, (centre back), for a live weather cross with Sam Mac on Sunrise recently.
National Volunteers Week celebrates the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers. Each year these volunteers dedicate over 600 million hours to help others. This year’s theme is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. Today is also Wear Orange Wednesday, to celebrate SES Volunteers!
This week, BSE RECOGNISE, celebrate, and thank volunteers for the vital role they play in our lives, in our local communities and in the additions that these values add to our business, RECONNECT to our core ABODE values important by giving time to help others and ourselves (4 hours paid Volunteer leave each quarter), and commit to REIMAGINE how we can support our teams to maintain their Volunteer works.
Congratulations to John el Ammar, Electrical Engineer in our Sydney Buildings Team, he’s recently achieved Chartered Engineer status!
John has been an important part of our team for two years, with 10 years experience, his professional nature and strengths in critical thinking, troubleshooting and problem solving makes John a valuable team member at BSE.
Our ACT Team were thrilled to join industry partners at WIDAC’s first Roadshow event in Canberra! BSE’s Mechanical Engineer, Siti Mustaffa was incredible as she shared her insights and hopes for building the future. Sharing in open and frank conversation, Siti and other industry leaders kindly took the attendees through career journeys, highlights, and challenges faced, and individual approaches to achieve career goals and what drives them day-to-day.
Held in the beautiful Zenith Interiors showroom in Fyshwick, this new and dynamic networking format in Canberra is exciting for us all.
Congratulations WIDAC team!
We are thrilled to welcome Terrence Hing to TeamBSE, as our Victorian Regional Manager.
Terrence brings extensive experience in building services across a range of sectors. A focus on multi-disciplinary delivery to enhance his electrical background provides Terrence with exceptional project outcomes and interpersonal ability.
A talented engineer, people leader and committed to moving projects towards net-zero energy outcomes, Terrence takes over the leadership of our Melbourne Office in a great position and is committed to ensuring scheduled project work is successfully completed and establish rapport with our partners to ensure they remain supported.
Fun fact: loves red wine and strategy board/ card games.
In welcoming Terrence, Andrew Fraser CEO said:
“The experience in project delivery Terrence brings, make him a fantastic addition to our successful Victorian based team. Terrence’s range of experience and commitment to sustainable solutions and quality design is a great addition!”
Past Success | 60 Union Street in Pyrmont is one of our Sydney Interior’s team’s favourite buildings. They have delivered multiple projects with partners to bring this building back to life! The building is a mix of approximately 16,500sqm commercial space and 3,000sqm retail space.
Partnering with building owner AFIAA and designer Custance Architects, BSE’s team delivered full multi-disciplinary services for the Atrium which had been built a decade ago. The opportunity to enhance the building was taken and the project team created a new end of trip facility, upgrade of floors, new lift lobbies. End of trip facilities provided tenants new bike storage, lockers and drying cupboards, plus hospitality style changing rooms and showers.
Further fill building upgrades were conducted to leverage the buildings capacity of base building upgrade, entry, façade, lobby space, retail, additional roof top entertainment space
Our partnership in this building continues with tenancy reviews and designs being completed.
A more detailed look at The Atrium: https://www.bse.com.au/60-union-st
We are pleased to welcome the newest member of TeamBSE, Orlando Cavuoto as our South Australia Regional Manager!
Orlando brings a diversity to our existing SA offering, with substantial design and delivery experience in commercial and retail spaces. His commencement with our SA team broadens and strengthens the service offering available to our clients and project partners.
A mechanical engineer by education, and robust building services exposure from significant project experience, Orlando provides BSE SA with true multi-disciplinary leadership, insights, and passion.
Fun fact: owns an extensive and ever-growing Pokémon cards collection
In welcoming Orlando, Andrew Fraser CEO said:
“With a strong understanding of what our SA clients and project partners are looking for, we are delighted Orlando has joined us in this role. His depth of commercial and large format retail experience is a great fit for our existing team, both in Adelaide and around Australia.”
Touchbase with TeamBSE | Sydney here we are!
This time, we are speaking to Maggie, “Mags”, undefeated champion of “Best laugh in the office” award and all around brilliant electrical engineer and project lead! Maggie is one of those amazing people who never gets flustered, always over-delivers and everyone is invariably thrilled when she is on their project. She joined BSE 6 years ago, and has embraced our True Partners approach to project delivery, and is now our Senior Electrical Engineer in our Sydney Buildings Team.
