Deakin One | Northrop

Location Deakin, ACT
Client Turco and Associates
Services
- Electrical Engineering
- Hydraulic & Fire
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural
- Sustainability
Sectors
- Commercial & Fitout (inc retail)
Year 2024
Value $26 Million

Last Project
Next Project

PROJECT

Northrop partnered with Turco and Associates to provide multi-disciplinary engineering design services for Deakin One, a landmark commercial office development in Canberra.

Deakin One is a three-storey, 8,000sqm building which also includes two basement levels of car parking, ground floor hospitality spaces, and landscaped public interfaces.
The building is centred around a naturally lit atrium that enhances connectivity between floors, encourages interaction between occupants, and supports passive cooling and environmental performance. Architecturally, the development features a distinctive and eye-catching integrated glazing and cladding façade inspired by the surrounding eucalyptus trees. A ground floor café and outdoor seating area further enhances the community feel by strengthening connections to the adjacent sporting and medical precincts.

DELIVERY

Northrop provided comprehensive multi-disciplinary engineering services for the Deakin One development from concept design through to construction and defects liability phase support. Services included Structural, Hydraulic, Fire, Mechanical, Electrical and Section J engineering, which encompassed detailed design documentation for tender and construction, authority liaison, interdisciplinary coordination, design certification, and construction phase inspections and attendance.
The structural scope included detailed design and documentation for footings, basement slabs, suspended slabs, columns, walls, cores and roof structures, together with construction phase inspections and shop drawing reviews. Mechanical services incorporated energy-efficient HVAC systems, chilled and condenser water systems, carpark ventilation, and a Building Management System, including an alternative jet fan ventilation solution supported by CFD analysis. Electrical engineering services included power, lighting, communications, emergency systems, access control, CCTV, external lighting and authority coordination.

Northrop also provided hydraulic and fire services design, including hydrant and sprinkler system coordination and performance analysis. Section J and energy modelling services were undertaken to support NCC compliance and achieve targeted building performance outcomes, including JV3 energy modelling and NABERS Energy assessments.
Throughout the project, Northrop worked closely with the client and wider consultant team to deliver practical, cost-effective engineering solutions while maintaining the performance, functionality, sustainability and integration of all building services. This collaborative approach was particularly important when it was identified that the proposed floor-to-floor heights were lower than typical commercial office buildings. Northrop took the lead to investigate and negotiated with the client to adjust the height, enabling improved services coordination, maintaining design functionality, and delivering cost efficiencies across the project.

IMPACT

Deakin One has made an impactful contribution to the Deakin precinct by delivering a contemporary workplace that prioritises wellbeing, connectivity and sustainability. The inclusion of hospitality spaces, end-of-trip facilities and the atrium creates a healthier and more collaborative environment for office workers while encouraging interaction between tenants and the surrounding community.
Deakin One is now home to the head office of the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Photography – Matthew Sherren