
Melbourne Arts Centre
- Civil
- Structural
Transforming and future proofing places through the retention, upgrading and repairing of buildings.
Our commitment to action on climate change pushes our team to maximise building efficiency in all our projects. We know the most efficient building is the one that you don’t build – it’s the one you already have.
So how do we do that? We help extend the use of existing assets through audits, upgrades and electrification projects that are not only impactful from a climate change perspective but provide the ‘why’ for our team to come to work each and every day.
We partner with a vast array of clients from owners of single homes, through to superannuation funds looking to acquire or upgrade whole portfolios. Our services span from ensuring structural stability testing to analysing how to extend the life of our client’s mechanical plants, from technical due diligence reports for individual buildings through to electrification strategies, and assessing portfolios and precincts for refurbishment and repair.
Northrop translated the complexity of physical risks of climate change into a program of actionable adaptation measures for our Retail and Office portfolios. Short, medium, and long term measures were identified appropriate to the level of risk, and consistent with our cycles for asset planning.Jeanine HillSustainability Manager, Charter Hall
Our involvement in key industry bodies like the GBCE and Standards Australia means we’re across upcoming changes in codes and regulations, and can advise you on impacts to your portfolio. Our work on new build projects also helps us bring industry-leading ideas to the table, ensuring that when you make a large scale upgrade, you’re considering current construction methods, materials and technology.
Our multidisciplinary team works together on projects to consider the flow-through impacts of each recommendation. From complex drainage systems through to plant room loadings, we understand the impact of our discipline on others and can take a more holistic approach to existing building assessment.
We make the effort to get out of the office and inspect sites to see how your existing systems are working, their layout, and best possible enhancement options. This approach avoids assumption making and ultimately saves our clients time and money.
We take a practical approach to certication of existing buildings, engaging with the certifier early on to ensure investigation and upgrade works are aligned with their requirements. We’re comfortable using our engineering judgement to take a fit-for-purpose approach to these works, achieving better and more sustainable outcomes.
Existing assets are often exposed to specific challenges from climate change. Addressing this through a coordinated approach across all disciplines allows clients to better understand and address asset risks. Our deep experience working directly with contractors allows us to create designs that are buildable, simple and cost effective.
“Working with what is existing is a great challenge for any engineer, I love getting the opportunity to solve complex problems in an environment where everyone has to work together to get the project through to completion.”
Erica ChanAssociate, Senior Sustainability Engineer
• Technical due diligence reports
• Change of use strategies
• Desktop strategy
• Electrification strategies
• Expert opinion assessments
• Structural asset audits
• Condition reports
• Façade and remedial design
• Feasibility assessments
• Green Star Performance
• Heritage engineering
• NABERS Ratings
• Net Zero Emissions Plans
• Project coordination
• Refurbishment and fitout design
• Structural extension designs
• Asset repositioning
• Electrification strategies
• Fitout design
• Portfolio assessment and alignment
• Retrofit and refurbishment