Exemplary Energy sponsored this year’s AIRAH Award for Excellence in Sustainability and the gala dinner in the Sofitel Darling Harbour, Sydney, was attended by our Executive Director, Trevor Lee, with our guests from Renew (board and practitioners) and University of Sydney (Architecture).
The jury nominated three finalists and selected Benmax as the winner.
- Allianz Stadium – A.G. Coombs
- Red Valley Mushrooms – SEQUAL
- Snow Concert Hall – Benmax
Trevor Lee presented the award to Alex Lawder, Benmax Snow Hall Project Manager, Canberra, pointing out that he has already enjoyed a piano and violin recital in this building which is a facility newly added to the campus of Canberra Grammar School.
AIRAH Jury’s assessment
Engaged under a D&C contract, Benmax delivered the HVAC services for the 3,100 m² purpose-built music facility. The five-storey building includes an acoustically tuned concert hall with capacity for 1,400 people, tuition rooms, music classrooms, student commons, and library. Features include a partial subterranean design, with the new construction sitting 15 m below neighbouring buildings; geothermal energy (ground-source heat pump) technology to condition the structure and support a 50 per cent reduction in annual energy use; acoustic isolation and attenuation considerations; exposed services; use of BIM technology; and prefabricated modular construction enabling installation of the primary plant room in under eight hours.