Climate Change Adaptation Project
- Sustainability
Partnership
At Northrop Consulting Engineers, we love working with local architects and developers, and Civic Place was another opportunity to do this. This was our first landmark development in Wollongong with Piruse Constructions, although we have consulted with them previously. This project allowed us to develop a strong working relationship which enabled us to successfully deliver this project for the IMB Bank in Wollongong. This relationship made communication smooth and helped us overcome challenges efficiently. Collaborating with Piruse is always a great experience, and it shows in the successful outcomes we achieve together.
Project
The IMB Bank building at 47 Burelli Street, Wollongong, is a 7 storey commercial development with three levels of basement parking. The client’s main goals were to consolidate operations spread over multiple locations, provide a modern workspace to enhance collaboration and productivity, and accommodate future growth.
Key challenges included obtaining development approval from Wollongong City Council, managing the budget effectively, and coordinating construction in a busy urban area with adjacent sites. The strong relationship between Northrop Consulting Engineers, ADM Architects and Piruse Constructions helped overcome these challenges, ensuring the project’s success.
Delivery
We successfully delivered comprehensive engineering solutions for the IMB Bank building project in Wollongong. Our work included structural, civil, sustainability and traffic engineering services. We implemented post-tensioned flat plates typically to the upper levels and a carefully considered central core system for stability providing a cost-efficient structure. Extensive collaboration with the geotechnical engineers was required to construct the foundations and basement levels all below sea level. Anchored secant pile construction was adopted for the basement levels to ensure watertight construction. 5 star NABERS sustainability goals were also achieved to this commercial development. We engaged with the community, provided regular updates, and worked closely with Piruse Constructions to ensure seamless project execution. This approach enabled us to meet the client’s objectives and overcome challenges, resulting in a successful project.
Impact
The IMB Bank building project at 47 Burelli Street, Wollongong, has significantly impacted the client, community, and environment. The sustainable design features and energy-efficient systems reduce operational costs and environmental impact. It provides modern, flexible workspaces that enhance collaboration and productivity, benefiting both IMB Bank employees and the broader community. For IMB Bank, the project consolidated operations previously spread across multiple locations, streamlining their workflow and accommodating future growth. The new head office has become a landmark in Wollongong, reinforcing IMB Bank’s iconic presence in the region. I’m proud of the positive impact this project has had, as it not only meets the client’s goals but also contributes to the community’s development and environmental sustainability. Working on this project has been a rewarding experience, showcasing the power of collaboration and innovative engineering.
Matthew Hart, Principal, Structural Engineer, Northrop Consulting Engineers
Imagery source
Shaw Photography
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