Engineering Excellence Awards finalists announced

Engineers Australia has announced 49 engineering projects as finalists in this year’s Sydney Division Engineering Excellence Awards. The projects collectively contribute substantial investment to the Australian economy.

The project finalists span 13 categories including: software and embedded systems, environment and heritage, innovations and inventions, and welfare, health and safety to name a few.

The category of building and structures has the most competition with eight iconic Sydney infrastructure project entries. 8 Chifley, by Arup, is the elevated 6 star green rated building towering over Sydney’s CBD. Carbon emissions from 8 Chifley are estimated to be 75% less than other buildings typical to Sydney’s CBD.

The Charles Perkins Centre, by the Robert Bird Group, is a $385 million research and education hub located at The University of Sydney. Creative engineering solutions were required to accommodate the specialised rooms and equipment of 950 leading obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease researchers in this purpose-built facility. The building centres around a full-height atrium, which is surrounded by laboratories, major research equipment and a clinical research facility. Other finalist projects include Taylor Thompson Whitting with join entrant JPW and AW Edwards for the White Bay Cruise Terminal; Robert Bird Group with joint entrants Arup, WSP and Kennovations for One Central Park; Norman Disney and Young for Australia Post projects; Steensen Varming Australia for the UNSW Tyree Energy Technologies Building; Building Services Engineers for The Kings School Science Learning Centre; and The University of Wollongong with joint entrant TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute for Team UOW ‘Illawarra Flame’ Solar Decathlon Home.

Steve Finlay, the general manager of Engineers Australia Sydney Division said the 2014 entries have set all new benchmarks for the profession. The building and structures category is especially reflective of the way in which engineers are transforming a cityscape to reflect the changing world, said Finlay.

The Engineering Excellence Awards night is to be held Friday, 19 September at the Westin, Sydney.