As the existing mechanical systems for Levels 2 and 3 at Forrest Place were nearing the end of their serviceable life, OPRA Projects were engaged to partner with a client nominated team to replace existing AHU’s with new, more efficient systems – a highly technical and complex project.
Since Level 2 was a fully occupied floor and the existing air-conditioning could not be impeded during Perth’s summer months, their new system was built within Level 3’s plant room and the crossover of Level 2s system was completed in a nine-day period over Christmas and New Year.
The Level 3 system was to be built on a new Level 4 plant platform which OPRA Projects were to build, however the project was over budget. OPRA engaged with Alpha Zeta, APEX and Skilled Air in Value Engineering and an opportunity to build a custom ‘double-decker’ AHU system was presented, which would all fit within the Level 3 plant room. After significant design and engineering investigations, minor structural members were added to the Level 3 platform and a staged installation complete – achieving significant cost-savings over all.
Business continuity was critical in the predominantly occupied site and even over the nine-day shutdown period, access to Level 2 tenancies was required for some staff.
Heritage
Early in the new year, additional architectural Make good was required to complete the works. Since Forrest Place is a heritage building, protection of the following surfaces around was critical;
- Heritage pendant light fittings;
- Heritage polished terrazzo floors;
- Polished herringbone timber floors;
- All decorative mouldings around columns.
Energy Efficiency
While the project was not Green Star or NABERS rated, the newly installed AHU system and redesigned double decker AHU systems are significantly more energy efficient and overall sustainable building performance improved