News | Surface Design Sydney

Facade Tectonics Conference in Los Angeles

One of our Senior Facade Engineers, Rob Moisy, presented at the Facade Tectonics Conference in Los Angeles in October 2016. Rob’s paper and presentation titled ‘Timber Facades’ was well received and sparked several discussions about the possibilities and challenges facing designers using timber products on Facades.

Rob’s experience in timber facades is underlined by the Surface Design projects including 200 George Street, The National Aboretum in Canberra, C2 at Barangaroo and previous projects including the University of Sydney Law School. The advantages of timber can be seen in the improvement of spaces and the human response to the natural material.

The conference included almost 100 papers and presentations over 2 short days. Industry leaders from across the globe were present and provided a setting for learning, socializing and hearing from a the cross section of specialist researchers, architects, engineers, contractors and suppliers.

	Surface Design’s expertise is not restricted by boundaries of state or country. In addition numerous successful domestic projects, Surface Design has been expanding internationally to be involved in projects around the world such as the Minnesota Vikings Stadium, Atlanta Falcons Stadium, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore etc.
	At Surface Design we are committed to investing in the most accurate and state-of-the-art measuring equipment. Recently we have purchased an XriteColor Spectrophotometer, Glass thermal properties kit, two types of glass stress measuring equipment and a WindMaker air infiltration kit. This equipment allows us to analyse the composition and thermal performance of building facades, internal environments and materials to better understand our projects and provide suitable advice to our clients.
	Surface Design in 2015 are honoured to be have been involved with projects which have been recognised internationally, including: Award at the World Architectural Festival – Winner of Health – Future Projects for the Al Maha Centre, Qatar 2015 World Architecture News (WAN) Waterfront Award – Winner Barangaroo Reserve 50 Martin Place Institute of Architects NSW Architecture Awards with the Sir Arthur G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture Winner, High Density Development, for One Central Park (Sydney), 2015 UDIA National Awards Highly Commended, High Density Development, for Park Lane and The Mark, UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence 2015 (NSW) 50 Martin Place by JPW wins Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture at 2015 National Architecture Awards
	Surface Design has contributed to three published books on eco-friendly materials including “Eco-efficient Masonry Bricks and Blocks”, “Handbook of Alkali-activated Cements, Mortars and Concretes”; both published by Woodhead Publishing 2015 and “Australian Concrete Technology” published by Longman Cheshire in 1992. Our contribution to academia demonstrates a thorough understanding of materials which results in invaluable advice to clients and is fundamental to extending the life of buildings and infrastructure.
	To date Surface Design has been involved in the refurbishment of 5 historical buildings, providing them with a new lease on life including the Red Cross building 155 Clarence Street and 34 Hunter Street. The most notable commercial refurbishment we have recently contributed to is the award winning 48-50 Martin Place, Sydney designed by Johnson Pilton Walker architects.
	Our Sustainability team has collaborated with Taronga Conservation Society Australia to revitalise the Sumatran Tiger Experience at Taronga Zoo which will open in 2017. This exhibit aims to create a larger, more familiar living area for six tigers and educate visitors about the impacts our choices can have on the Sumatran Tiger’s native habitat. The zoo’s 3 resident tigers have been relocated to Taronga Western Plains Zoo while construction of their new home is underway.
	Through our contribution to Green Star projects, we have delivered a total of 304 residential apartments with a 7 Star or above NatHERS rating.
	Our tenancy fit-out has achieved a 6 star NABERS Energy Rating for the third year running and Surface Design are proud to be a Signatory of City Switch.We have also achieved a 4 star NABERS Waste Rating this year, confirming we generate only 176g per person per day.
	We as a team of Engineers, Designers and Scientists are committed to Environmental Sustainable Design and deliver through collaboration and our unique coupling of Sustainable Design, Facade Engineering and Materials Science.

Category:	Construction
Price:	$100,000,001 – $200,000,000
Year:	2014
Prize:	Winner
Architect:	Rice Daubney
Company:	Brookfield Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd
Project:	Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
Suburb:	Camperdown