Iconic UTS building wins prestigious engineering award Monday, 10 October 2016

The flagship project of the University of Technology Sydney’s $1 billion master plan has been recognised for its bold and sustainable design - taking out NSW’s top engineering honour.

Image: AEEA Sydney 2016 Bradfield Award winners (L to R)
Peter Macdonald | Head of Structures NSW & Project Director for the Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building Arup, Andrew Pettifer | NSW Region Leader Arup, George Cunha | Associate Principal & Project Manager for the Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building Arup with Bradfield award Sponsor Prof. Mary O’Kane, NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer.

Engineering consultancy Arup won the coveted Bradfield Award for its iconic Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at the 2016 Australia Engineering Excellence Awards in Sydney held on Friday 7th October at Four Points by Sheraton Sydney.

Judges commended its five-star Green rating and free-form façade.

Engineers Australia Sydney General Manager Greg Ewing said the building -designed by world renowned architect Frank Gehry –showcased the best of multi-disciplinary engineering.

“This is a leading example of the strength of building engineering in Australia. Innovative applications have played a vital role in pushing the design concept to its structural limits and the result is this stunning, functional and environmentally sustainable building,” Mr Ewing said. 

“This 12-storey landmark stood out for its distinctive undulating brick and glass exterior, and its equally irregular interior characterised by amorphous floor plates and sloping columns.

“Engineers Australia congratulates Arup for its deserving win and bold design.”

Engineers Australia Sydney President Dr Michael Myers OAM FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER said the calibre of projects and individual talent at this year’s awards were among the strongest in the event’s history. “Our winners demonstrate a breadth of engineering capacity, teamwork and innovation,” Dr Myers said.

“This shows our industry’s willingness to push design and construction boundaries with stunning results.”

The Professional Engineer of the Year Award was won by Prof Veena Sahajwalla HonFIEAust CPEng NER one of the world's leading innovators in the field of sustainable materials. Professor Sahajwalla’s research has led to a world-first, patented and environmentally-friendly process called Polymer Injection Technology, used for recycling end-of-life plastics and rubber for reuse in Australian steel production, the wider construction industry and for consumer products.

Co-founder and managing director of EG Property Group Dr Shane Geha FIEAust was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of his creativity and management of the successful property and urban planning business.

 

Australian Engineering Excellence Award Sydney 2016 Recipients

Bradfield Award for overall winner          

  • Dr Chau Chak Wing Building by Arup

President’s Award                          

  • Barangaroo Reserve by Aurecon and LendLease

 Buildings and Structures Award

  • Excellence Award: Dr Chau Chak Wing Building by Arup
  • Excellence Award: 5 Martin Place by Aurecon

Control Systems, Networks, Information Processing and Telecommunications Award       

  • Excellence Award: Coherent Optical Measurement Systems by Finisar Australia
  • High Commendation: Robotic Bridge Inspector – A Revolutionary Solution to inspection and Condition Assessment of Steel Structures by University of Technology Sydney and Roads and Maritime Services, NSW

Environment Award       

  • Excellence Award: Macdonaldtown Gasworks Remediation by Ventia Utility Services Pty Ltd and Rail Corporation NSW
  • High Commendation: The Driftwells Park Project by Western Plains Regional Council

Innovation, Research and Development Award

  • Excellence Award: Support Systems for the Submarine Escape Rescue System Hyperbaric Suite by H.I.Fraser Pty Ltd
  • High Commendation: Kanso - The Smart, Simple, Discreet off-the-ear Sound Processor by Cochlear Ltd and Blue Sky Design Group

Occupational Health and Safety Award  

  • Excellence Award: Robotic Bridge Inspector by Roads and Maritime Services, NSW and University of Technology Sydney

Products and Manufacturing Facilities Award

  • Excellence Award: Lamb X-Ray Primal and Middle System by SCOTT Automation & Robotics and Meat & Livestock Australia
  • High Commendation: The Development and Construction of the Nyngan and Broken Hill Solar Power Stations by Jacobs and AGL Energy Ltd

Project Infrastructure Award     

  • Excellence Award: North Strathfield Rail Underpass by WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff and Jacobs, with support from Mott MacDonald
  • High Commendation: Patrick Stevedores Port Botany Redevelopment Project by Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd and Patrick Stevedores Operations No. 2 Pty Ltd

Project Management Award      

  • Excellence Award: Glenfield to Leppington Rail Line Project by Jacobs and Transport for NSW
  • High Commendation: Lake Endeavour Dam Strengthening and Security Upgrade by Parkes Shire Council

Small Business Ventures & Projects Award                          

  • High Commendation: FSS1 A Revolutionary Door Monitoring Sensor for High Security Applications by FSH Fire & Security Hardware Pty Ltd

 

Individuals who received recognition for their commitment and contribution to the profession.

Professional Engineer of the Year 2016

  • Prof Veena Sahajwalla HonFIEAust CPEng NER

Entrepreneur of the year 2016

  • Dr Shane Geha FIEAust

Young Professional Engineer of the Year 2016

  • Jacquelyn Osborne GradIEAust

Engineering Technologist of the Year 2016

  • Johannes Swanepoel TMIEAust

Engineering Student of the Year 2016

  • Daniel John De Cataldo

 

Image: Dr Chau Chak Wing Building. Courtesy ARUP.