Huge news from the Sencova Team, coming away with a win at the Australian Steel Institute Steel Excellence Awards for the Buildings: Small Projects QLD & NT Category!
Project: The University of Queensland – Andrew N. Liveris Building
Entering Organisation: Sencova* Steel Fabricators
Architect: m3Architecture
Structural Engineer: AECOM
Head Building Contractor: Hansen Yuncken
Distributer or Manufacturer: InfraBuild, Lysaght
Steel Fabricator: Sencova* Steel Fabricators
Steel Detailer: Innovatuz
Coatings Suppliers: Diamond Blast Sandblasting & Protective Coatings, Valmont Coatings
Design
The Andrew N. Liveris Building was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects 2022 Architecture Queensland Medallion, The Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture, and The Karl Langer Award for Urban Design.
A remarkable piece of architecture, the Andrew N. Liveris Building is recognised for the highest level of design excellence and thinking. Far beyond a well-considered learning environment, this landmark development represents values of environment, society, and governance, and establishes a legacy of learning and hope for the future.
From a very complex and technical brief in a significant part of the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, this is a serious laboratory building, with a playful and esoteric approach that interconnects academic, scientific, social learning, and economic pursuits. The green indoor/outdoor balconies for student amenity are composed from an analogy of an occupiable treed landscape connecting ground with sky. Quirky and unexpected, but effective and memorable, the building brings together conceptual and pragmatic approaches in unique and poetic ways for an unexpected typology.
The architecture of the building is open and porous, with a series of visible collaboration pods, externally and within the atrium, further expanding the concept of a larger public and accessible domain; opposite of the ‘hermetic’ academic building – Jury Citation (Australian Institute of Architects, 2022)
Engineering
The building was designed with a lifespan of 50 years or more, incorporating 362 tonnes of structural steel for the CC3 project. A standout feature of the design is the break-out steel pods that hover over the atrium, suspended delicately from the edges of the floors, adding a dynamic and modern touch to the interior space. In addition to these interior elements, external steel pods are also seen suspended from the buildings facade, creating an eye-catching and distinctive exterior feature. At the heart of the atrium, a striking steel staircase serves as both a functional and architectural centre piece, providing access between the various levels while enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space. The combination of these elements creates a visually captivating, durable structure that emphasises both form and function throughout the building.
Sustainability
All steel used on this building was manufactured and sourced from an Australian steel company. Our supplier, InfraBuild, are committed to sustainability measures like reducing their embodied carbon footprint.
Our Electric Arc Furnaces (at Rooty Hill, in Sydney, and Laverton, in Melbourne) use recycled scrap metal to manufacture steel products with lower levels of embodied carbon, compared to those made by traditional steelmaking methods. Recycling scrap metal drives material circularity, reduces emissions, saves on natural resources and diverts scrap from landfill. Optimising InfraBuild’s vertically-integrated steel recycling and manufacturing processes, we produce nation building steel for Australia. – InfraBuild, 2022
Fabrication
The fabrication expertise of the extended Sencova team is unparalleled, and we made certain to apply this standard throughout every phase of this project. The process begins at our purpose-built workshop, where we meticulously craft the steel according to the precise specifications of the project. Rigorous quality checks are conducted at every stage, ensuring not only the structural integrity of each component but also complete material traceability.
Our advanced capabilities, including industrial welding and specialised boilermaking, further enhanced the precision and durability of the steelwork. Behind the scenes, our dedicated project management and administration teams worked in seamless coordination, ensuring that every aspect of the project was executed to the highest standards and completed on time. The result is a testament to our commitment to excellende and our unwavering focus on delivering exceptional quality.
Erection
Our team ensured the professional and efficient on-site delivery of steel, guaranteeing that the installation was completed on schedule and executed to the highest standards. With a focus on safety and precision, our highly trained crews meticulously erected the steel structures, adhering to strict safety protocols throughout the process. Every component was 100% build ready and had undergone comprehensive quality checks before reaching the site, which resulted in flawless execution. The success of this project is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our #madesure promise. We take immense pride in the outcome and the impact it has on the overall finished structure.
