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Central intelligence From its façade to its HVAC, UTS Central impresses. COVER FEATURE The Operational demands of The Hive Superlab demanded that separate air handling plant be installed to maintain reliable air flows into the room.
Central intelligence COVER FEATURE
Exposed services require more attention to detail, the set out of services was coordinated to achieve straight lines and plant was shifted into areas with ceilings.
All images courtesy of A.G. Coombs As the final building delivered under the University of Technology Sydney’s original City Campus Master Plan, UTS Central combines world-leading, collaborative learning spaces that embody contemporary tertiary education. Sean McGowan reports.
On a campus that already “UTS Central is the confident and UTS Central is also home to boasts architectural icons such contemporary embodiment of that The Hive Superlab – a science as the Frank Gehry-designed educational evolution.” laboratory designed around group Dr Chau Chak Wing building, it is learning, with 42 pods accommodating no surprise to discover that the new six students each. Research spaces for UTS Central building has also pushed LIGHTING UP the Faculty of Engineering and IT, the boundaries of contemporary BROADWAY the Research Excellence and Support educational architecture. Hub (RES Hub) and Industry Hub Located on Broadway in Ultimo, are also accommodated. From its double-helix staircase, to UTS Central was designed by fjmt its twisted tower and modernist (Francis‑Jones Morehen Thorp) – The Faculty of Law’s new, authentic Moot glass façade, the 17-storey building the elegant, curved lines of the building’s Court and trial courts are also located reflects the experimentation and façade providing a contemporary contrast in the new building. Designed to reflect innovation of the campus’s 10-year to the modular design of the Brutalist real‑life courtrooms, the Moot Court transformational journey. UTS Tower to its east. seats 120 people in theatre style, while the two trial courts seat 20 people each. And by rising from the foundations The building consists of two underground of existing Buildings 1 and 2, there floors, a five-level podium and a 10-level Additionally, three customised is also a sense that UTS Central is tower sitting above it. The gently twisting collaborative classrooms on levels 5 built upon all that the University design of the tower results in no two to 7 can accommodate as many as of Technology Sydney (UTS) has floor plans being the same. 350 students. Designed with no obvious become since it was founded in 1988. “front” to the room, they are divided The podium levels accommodate a both physically and with technology into “Our decade-long campus spectacular Reading Room featuring several smaller zones for group learning. redevelopment has revolutionised a light-filled three-storey atrium that teaching and learning, allowing us to overlooks Alumni Green, while the According to Professor Shirley Alexander, deliver practice-oriented programs to UTS Blake Library – occupying levels deputy vice-chancellor (education prepare graduates for the workplaces 7 to 9 – boasts a direct connection to and students), learning at university of today and tomorrow,” says UTS the automated library retrieval system is changing and so too is the nature vice‑chancellor Professor Attila Brungs. concealed beneath the green. of the student experience.
APRIL 2020 • ECOLIBRIUM 37 COVER FEATURE The Royal League in ventilation
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MATERIAL Exclusive high-perfomance “Students must master a body of enable our students to graduate as DISTRICT ENERGY composite material ZAmid ® knowledge, develop the skills to work highly competent professionals.” in a team, communicate effectively SHARING Other features include a student learning in a variety of forms, engage in Targeting a 5 star Green Star rating, sophisticated problem-solving, and hub offering UTS student support UTS Central naturally features a be creative and entrepreneurial,” services, a plastic-free public food court, number of environmentally sustainable says Professor Alexander. student study spaces and north and design (ESD) elements, including the south-facing terraces and gardens. “The spaces in UTS Central have use of district cooling in an innovative been designed to support active and Semi-enclosed and naturally ventilated urban partnership with the adjacent PERFORMANCE collaborative learning activities. winter garden balconies span levels 9 to Central Park commercial development New IE5 high-efficiency, Inspired by research, these spaces 16 on the northern façade. (see Ecolibrium February 2015). energy-saving ECblue motor This results in the UTS campus’s energy and potable water use being UTS READING ROOM reduced while also providing space, power and maintenance savings The design of the UTS Reading Room a large skylight and an uninterrupted for the university. was inspired by traditional scholarly glass façade looking over Alumni Green, spaces where academics can engage the UTS Reading Room is a light-filled UTS Central features a mechanical with current research, exchange ideas space for quiet work, reading and services design concept by engineer and immerse themselves in study. contemplation. Steensen Varming that was cleverly reconfigured by mechanical services As a postgraduate architecture “Great reading rooms and great libraries design and construct contractor, student, Richard Francis‑Jones have always been at the heart of leading A.G. Coombs Projects. spent a lot of time poring over universities,” he says. “The UTS Central his university’s reference books. Appointed to the project in April 2017 Reading Room is part of this tradition by construction manager, Richard “I did my master’s at Columbia University but in a 21st-century form – its primary Crookes Constructions, A.G. Coombs in New York and I spent so much of my purpose is for quiet, individual study, sought to add value to the project time in the library,” says Francis-Jones. but together. by developing a cost-effective, “It was the library during the day and “It’s easier for us to study and focus energy-efficient design that took the the studio at night. Libraries are such an performance requirements of the important part of student life.” when we are in the company of others. There is a sense of camaraderie – when Steensen Varming concept on board. Now design director of fjmt, you are going through the hell of “We presented our design concept Francis‑Jones has helped to bring a pre‑exam study together, it is energising during the tender phase to give new library to life at UTS Central, in control and drive technology and empowering. You’re with people Richard Crookes Constructions The Royal League ventilation, which is home to the UTS Reading Room doing the same thing, you’re in it and Blake Library. and UTS confidence that it met together and that feels really good.” the requirements of the project,” With a triple-height atrium opening to Source: UTS says A.G. Coombs senior project engineer Dennis Ngov.
38 APRIL 2020 • ECOLIBRIUM Movement by perfection COVER FEATURE
An aggressive design program was Laboratories are served by manifolded fume set after the contractor was awarded cupboard systems and strobic exhaust fans. the project, with the design delivered on a floor-by-floor basis every two weeks in the podium, and every week in the tower so as to provide progressive resolution and approvals. Ngov says this required an agile approach to not only stage the design, but still make it cohesive while addressing vertical elements up front. At the core of the approach is the use of a centralised low‑temperature system that combines EC (electronically commutated) fans with the latest air handling unit (AHU) technology. This design takes advantage of the existing chilled water supply from the city campus central energy plant at the base of the building. This incorporates additional cooling capacity from the central plant within the adjacent Central Park development.
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COMBINING THE serves a number of selected buildings within the campus was also upgraded. OLD AND NEW An existing boiler was replaced CHILLED WATER The UTS Central project presented to increase capacity and meet the UTS Central utilises a secondary a number of technical challenges – additional heating demand created chilled water circuit (located in the none more so than the coordination from UTS Central. retained structure of Building 2) of services within both the existing that is fed from the central chilled The works also included the structure (formerly Buildings 1 water plant located in the retained decommissioning and removal of and 2) and the architecture of structure of Building 1. the new building. flue dilution systems that served the existing boiler plant, which were The central chilled water plant “A major part of the works was to designed and installed to enable includes six chillers that have received re-divert existing services through Building 2 to be demolished to make progressive upgrades since the the new building,” says A.G. Coombs way for the UTS Central project. original building’s completion in 1974. project manager Leigh Walters. “UTS had concerns about keeping “UTS added capacity to the plant in “These services had previously run this as a permanent solution,” a separate project by installing an through the old building and had says Walters. energy transfer station (ETS) to tap been temporarily diverted in works into the existing chilled water supply carried out before we commenced. “In response, we coordinated a path from a central energy plant within This required dilapidation reporting through the new building for new the adjacent Central Park commercial and assessment of how these could dedicated flues for each boiler as a development,” says A.G. Coombs’ be re-diverted when they were permanent, robust solution.” Dennis Ngov. operational while working through Taking the lead for services coordination This arrangement forms part a construction site.” on the project, A.G. Coombs relied of Australia’s first district Additionally, the existing central upon the use of building informational energy‑sharing project. heating hot water (HHW) plant that modelling (BIM).
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BIM enabled the new plantrooms to be designed with a minimal footprint. This assisted with design coordination for very tight spaces – particularly where a ceiling was present. In other areas, services have been left exposed according to the design concept. “The architectural and structural principles that defined space for services in ceiling voids and plantrooms were defined before we commenced on the project,” says Walters. He says by using lower supply temperatures, smaller airflow requirements were created for the air‑handling systems that resulted in the ability to utilise smaller ductwork. “The smaller ductwork sizes could still be at the low velocities required to meet the stringent noise criteria for the project, but made the coordination of reticulation routes achievable without adversely affecting the architectural outcome.” In areas where the ceiling was removed, the opportunity was taken to provide more space for services. “Exposed services, however, require more attention to detail in the layout and installation to ensure they look appealing,” says A. G. Coombs strategic development director The low-temperature air system has Bryon Price, F.AIRAH. “Flexible resulted in the use of smaller ductwork. ductwork was replaced with solid ductwork and the set-out of all services
LESSONS FROM THE MECHANICAL SERVICES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CONTRACTOR A.G. Coombs project manager, Leigh Architectural shafts and plenums for progress the design to better integrate Walters and senior project engineer, return air, relief air and smoke exhaust the HVAC solutions. However, the design Dennis Ngov share some of the lessons were an important design solution was far too advanced to accommodate learned from the UTS Central project. adopted on the project to minimise a multiple-level prefabricated plantroom the riser space and maximise floor solution that we proposed. Earlier Working in or adjacent to a space. The project had a mix of new engagement would have also assisted the large operational building has its and old building structure, and leakage architect to plan the plantrooms with less challenges. Connecting into existing in these shafts became a significant iterations and better integration. central thermal plants adds another challenge. Testing shafts and reviewing dimension. It is important to engage Keep evolving designs where there construction of the shafts is critical to with the client/operator to understand is an opportunity to simplify the working through leakage problems how systems operate and when solution for the client. As an example, as early as possible. items of plant can be shut down. the preconditioning system for the The contractor and developer worked Earlier engagement on projects has tower was removed as the design was extensively with UTS to plan and potential for better outcomes. At the developed further, as the energy savings document the staged changeover time we were engaged the building were no longer apparent. This project has of plant activities. It’s important to structure, architectural layout and less equipment to operate and maintain take the time, involve the client and construction methodology had been than the original design concept without manage risks with them. largely defined. There was still ability to changing the performance requirements.
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was coordinated as much as possible efficiency. The use of EC fans also resulted in straight lines for aesthetics.” in significantly lower noise levels that reduced attenuation requirements. Additionally, items of plant were moved into areas where a ceiling “This was important, as space for would conceal them. attenuation was limited and plantrooms were located close to noise-sensitive Fabrication functionality was also areas,” Ngov says. added to the BIM model and used to support the accurate manufacture The plantrooms serving the UTS Central of components offsite. building are generally located on a floor- by-floor basis next to valuable floor space. LOW-TEMP The use of smaller air handling plant SOLUTION resulted in plantroom space having less impact on the layout and functionality The adoption of the low-temperature of the building. It also assisted in air system was in response to a number achieving better maintenance access of drivers, including the need to reduce into the plantrooms. airflow to accommodate the use of smaller ductwork. The operational demands of The Hive Superlab also required that a separate “Lower airflows resulted in lower fan air handling plant be installed to energy, but also a smaller footprint maintain reliable operation with for the AHUs,” says Ngov. airflows inwards to the room. EC fans were specified in the AHUs Taking its name from the hexagonal because they presented a compact design features and “buzzing” The spectacular 3 storey Reading Room. solution while also delivering energy atmosphere of a beehive, the colourful Prep COVER FEATURE Activate Restore Maintain
Hive Superlab is a world-class teaching Low Emission Technology lab designed to a PC2 (Physical Containment Level 2) standard. The laboratory spaces are also served by a manifolded fume cupboard exhaust system, with eight connected fume cupboards and strobic exhaust fans at roof level in a duty/stand-by arrangement. In total, five individual fume cupboard systems are provided, including a DDA (Disability Access) fume cupboard specifically designed to ensure the reach ranges, working height, services and clearances all meet AS 1428.2 DDA design requirements. The lab accommodates up to 270 students with specialist audio-visual types – the largest measuring 6m by facilities (including bone conduction 2.3m and weighing around 700kg. PROJECT AT A GLANCE headphones) to allow for seven classes To control solar penetration, regulate to run simultaneously. natural light and help to control The personnel internal temperatures, UTS Central CLEVER features a bespoke sun shading system. ▲ Architect FAÇADE (Original Broadway Podium): Geometric panels on the building’s Lacoste + Stevenson with DJRD northern façade are programmed to The glazing applied to the façade ▲ Architect (UTS Central): fjmt of UTS Central is extensive, and respond to the azimuth of the sun ▲ was installed by two specialist across the calendar year. Adjustable Developer and owner: UTS subcontractors who each worked louvre blinds encapsulated within ▲ Façade engineer: Surface Design on the tower façade and podium the façade of the upper levels give the ▲ Fire engineering: ARUP façade exclusively. building its distinctive white veneer. ▲ Managing contractor: Richard Crookes Constructions The tower façade features a closed As well as blind control, the tower façade ▲ cavity design, while the podium is also served by filtered, pressurised Mechanical services D&C façade is made up of approximately and humidity/temperature-controlled contractor: A.G. Coombs Projects 1,100 panels from 40 different glass air delivered to the façade panels to ▲ Sustainability and ESD: assist with thermal comfort. Steensen Varming
FINE-TUNING The equipment Manufactured by Distributed in Australia by UTS Central officially opened to students ▲ AHUs: GJ Walker and the public in August 2019, with the ▲ UTS Reading Room, UTS Blake Library, BMS: Optergy PROMEK (Alerton Australia) Technologies RES Hub and Industry Hub all opening ▲ later in November 2019. Boilers: Hunt Building No 5, 49 Frenchs Forest Road ▲ Control valves: Belimo EPIV Unit 2/481-483 Victoria Street Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Despite its staggered opening, building Wetherill Park, 2164 NSW Australia CALL 1300 782 761 ▲ Dampers: Celmec tuning is well under way, with the www.thermal-xr.com www.promektechnologies.com.au ▲ secondary chilled water and heating Diffusers: Smartair [email protected] [email protected] water loops being targetted for efficiency ▲ Duct: Kavanagh Industries and operational improvements. ▲ Fans: Fantech ▲ And with the occupation of spaces FCUs: Temperzone varying significantly due to the mix of ▲ Fume cupboards: Dynaflow spaces and uses in the building, the fine- ▲ Manifold exhaust fans: Strobic tuning of air systems is also under way. ▲ Grilles: Ideal Air “Now that the building is occupied,” ▲ In-row coolers: Schneider Electric says Walters, “we have the chance to ▲ Pumps: HVAC Pumps revisit some of the air systems and ▲ VAV boxes: Celmec PROMEK tune them.” ▲ Variable speed drives: ABB Technologies Other areas of UTS Central, including the ▲ VAV diffusers: Rickard Faculty of Law located across levels 14 to (Source: A.G. Coombs) 16, were slated to open in early 2020. ❚
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