March 21, 2017

The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) that opened in December 2016 is one of the largest urban renewal projects to have ever taken place in Australia.

Recently featured in the official journal of AIRAH (Ecolibrium) magazine, the article ‘The Heart of the Matter’ by Sean McGowan reports on the journey from architecture and construction, to commissioning and servicing, to bring a world-class precinct to life.

The $1.5 billion dollar venue is Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct. Developed over three years through a public-private partnership (PPP), it is expected to attract more than 26 million visitors to Darling Harbour every year.

Appointed by construction managers Lendlease, A.G. Coombs Pty. Ltd. was the sole mechanical and HVAC services provider for the redeveloped Convention building and the new Exhibition and Theatre buildings that make up the complex, with the three delivered simultaneously.

Leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) techniques were used to complete the design and support the construction of the mechanical and HVAC systems across the buildings, which are very different and have very specific design requirements.

Cooling and heating energy is provided to the complex from centrally located energy-efficient plant. Chilled water for cooling is generated using six large chillers with a total capacity of 21,400kWr and is distributed to over 210 separate air handling units and fan coil units. Heat rejection from all cooling systems is provided for by twelve large cooling towers with a total capacity of 24,600kW delivering condenser water to the chillers as well as the heat exchangers serving refrigeration plant for kitchen and hospitality services. There are also six large hot water generators with a total capacity of 10,650kW.

View the ‘Darling Harbour Live’ redevelopment project case study here.

View the BE Magazine feature ‘Technical Tour-de-force at Darling Harbour Redevelopment’ here.