Service | CORE Consulting Engineers

Queen Victoria Building (QVB) -Sydney CBD, NSW

Overview

CORE has provided ongoing engineering support to Vicinity Centres at the iconic Queen Victoria Building (QVB) in Sydney.

As one of Australia’s most significant heritage retail buildings, the QVB requires careful engineering oversight to ensure that upgrades, tenant works and maintenance interventions respect the historic fabric while maintaining safety and performance. CORE has worked closely with the asset team to provide practical, heritage-sensitive engineering advice, supporting both major interventions and day-to-day operational requirements.

CORE’s involvement has included a wide range of structural and facade engineering services, including:

Replacement of the main dome external walkway balustrade, designing a copper-clad stainless-steel structure to replicate the heritage appearance while improving durability and safety (construction value approx. $2.5M)
Facade and structural condition audits, monitoring and targeted repair recommendations
Replacement of the main dome external walkway balustrade, designing a copper-clad stainless-steel structure to replicate the heritage appearance while improving durability and safety (construction value approx. $2.5M)
Tenant fit-out engineering, including structural strengthening, mezzanine structures and selective wall removals
Great Australian Clock maintenance works, including load assessments and access planning
Awning structural assessments
Loading assessments for internal EWP access to enable safe maintenance and installation works
Engineering support for amenities upgrades within the heritage building

Trusted Engineering Advice for a Complex Heritage Asset

Heavily integrated with other major disciplines, facades and building services play a significant role in determining the overall value, performance, safety and sustainability of a building.

Through ongoing collaboration with Vicinity Centres and the broader consultant team, CORE has helped ensure that upgrades and operational works within the QVB are delivered safely, efficiently and with respect for the building’s heritage
significance.

Our role as trusted engineering advisors has supported the long-term stewardship of this landmark Sydney asset, enabling the building to continue operating as one of Australia’s most recognisable retail and heritage destinations.

Government, Heritage, Electrical, Hydraulic, Structural

Pioneers Memorial Park – Leichardt, NSW

Working Within A Sensitive Heritage Landscape

CORE was engaged by Hector Abrahams Architects to deliver structural, electrical and hydraulic engineering design services for new amenities within Pioneers Memorial Park on behalf of Inner West City Council. The project involved the design of a new public amenities facility within a heritage-listed park located above an archaeological cemetery site.

The park is an important local open space and memorial landscape, requiring careful consideration of heritage values and historical sensitivities throughout the design process.

Delivering new infrastructure within Pioneers Memorial Park required careful coordination due to the presence of archaeological remains beneath the site.The design needed to minimise disturbance while ensuring the new facility could be safely and effectively integrated into the park environment.

Key considerations included:

Structural design sensitive to archaeological constraints
Hydraulic services coordinated to minimise ground disturbance
Careful integration within the heritage park setting
Compliance with council and heritage requirements

This project highlights CORE’s ability to deliver public infrastructure within complex heritage environments, where careful engineering decisions help protect the layered history of the site while enabling its continued use by the community.

Aged Care/Health, Electrical, Fire Engineering & Fire Protection, Hydraulic, Mechanical

52-56 Pank Parade, Blacktown, NSW

Coordinating Complex Building Services for a Senior Living Environment

At 52–56 Pank Parade, CORE worked alongside Mode Design for LAHC (Land and Housing Corporation) to deliver a senior’s living development, providing full building services design from concept through to the construction phase.

Senior living projects demand a higher level of consideration – not just in performance, but in how services integrate within often constrained and highly planned environments.

At Pank Parade, this was amplified by spatial limitations and the complexity of coordinating multiple services within a tightly resolved architectural layout.

Our role was to bring structure and clarity to that complexity – progressing the design through to tender and construction phase while ensuring all building services were coordinated, compliant and practical to deliver.

Key aspects of our involvement included:

Delivering fully coordinated MEPF design aligned with architectural and planning constraints
Navigating spatial challenges to ensure efficient and buildable service integration
Managing LVL3 ASP requirements, including authority applications and approvals
Coordinating closely with stakeholders and authorities to maintain program and momentum

Our focus was on maintaining momentum throughout, working closely with the design team and authorities to progress decisions efficiently and keep the project moving.

By taking ownership of the more intricate aspects of services coordination and approvals, we provided a steady and structured approach that supported both the design team and client through key stages of the project.

The result is a well-resolved building services design that responds to the needs of a senior living environment, while remaining practical, coordinated and ready for delivery.

Government, Heritage, Electrical, Fire Engineering & Fire Protection, Hydraulic, Mechanical

Gunnamatta Park – Cronulla, NSW

Overview

CORE was engaged by Sam Crawford Architects to provide Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic and Fire engineering design services for the renewal of the Gunnamatta Pavilion at Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla on behalf of Sutherland Shire Council.

Located on the foreshore of Gunnamatta Bay, the heritage-listed pavilion is a landmark community facility that has served the local community since the late 1930s. The renewal project aims to revitalise the building while preserving its heritage character and strengthening its role as a community gathering place.

The project delivers upgraded public amenities, flexible community spaces and improved connections to the surrounding park and waterfront environment.

Our Approach

CORE worked closely with the architect and consultant team to deliver coordinated building services design that supports both the functional requirements of the pavilion and its long-term role as a community facility.

Our scope included the design and documentation of:

Mechanical ventilation systems
Electrical lighting and power infrastructure
Hydraulic water supply and drainage systems
Fire services design

The engineering design prioritised durability, simplicity and operational efficiency, ensuring the facility can support heavy public use while remaining practical for council operations and maintenance.

CORE’s building services design supports the delivery of a durable, well-integrated public facility that will continue to serve the Cronulla community for generations to come.

Heritage, Hospitality, Electrical, Fire Engineering & Fire Protection, Hydraulic, Mechanical

Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa

Great Engineering Isn't Always Seen. It's Felt.

Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa is a historic Southern Highlands estate originally established in 1910 as a grand country residence, later evolving into one of the region’s most recognised luxury hospitality destinations.

CORE was engaged by Salter Brothers to deliver building services engineering for the refurbishment of guest rooms and public areas as part of a broader repositioning of the estate into a premium boutique hospitality experience.

The works formed part of a multi-million-dollar transformation of the property, carefully revitalising the historic estate while elevating guest experience and modernising the building’s operational performance.

The project required engineering solutions that could support contemporary hospitality standards while respecting the architectural character of the heritage building.

The moment you step into Bowral’s Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa, you’re met with a sense of calm, refinement and quiet luxury -a space that truly transports you.

This project required modern services interventions to be integrated within an existing heritage building while maintaining the atmosphere and elegance expected of a luxury country retreat.

Key Challenges:

Integrating modern building services within a heritage structure
Supporting a premium guest experience through environmental comfort and reliability
Coordinating services upgrades within constrained existing building fabric
Delivering systems that support long-term operational performance for the asset owner

Engineering the Experience

While any project can meet a technical brief, not every engineering approach creates a space that genuinely feels exceptional. In hospitality environments, engineering plays a quiet yet powerful role. Beyond systems and compliance, it influences the comfort, air quality, lighting, acoustics and overall reliability and performance of the building – ultimately
shaping the guest experience.

At Milton Park, our focus extended beyond simply upgrading services. We worked closely with the project team to ensure engineering decisions supported the sense of calm, refinement and quiet luxury that defines the property.

Our Engineering Approach Prioritised:

Creating comfortable and consistent internal environments for guests
Enhancing air quality, lighting quality and acoustic comfort
Integrating modern services discreetly within the heritage structure
Supporting operational reliability for the hotel team

For hospitality asset owners and developers, these decisions also support broader outcomes – helping reduce operational risk, avoid unplanned lifecycle costs and ensure building systems perform reliably for years to come.

By aligning engineering with both the architectural vision and the long-term operational needs of the asset, we were able to deliver a space where the engineering works quietly in the background while the guest experience remains front and centre.

Seeing this beautiful heritage property come to life – and now performing as intended – is incredibly rewarding for the entire team.

Commercial Office, Heritage, Façade, Remedial, Structural

124-136 Chalmers St, Surry Hills, NSW

Restoring the Beauty of a Historic Facade

CORE was engaged by Hector Abrahams Architects as the heritage facade remediation engineer for the restoration of the historic Amalgamated Engineering Union building at 124–136 Chalmers Street in Surry Hills.Constructed in 1929, the building’s distinctive terracotta faience facade is listed as a heritage item by the City of Sydney for its architectural quality and technological significance.

Over time, deterioration of the original fixing system and vegetation growth had caused sections of the facade to become unstable, with tiles loosening and posing a potential risk to the public along the busy Chalmers Street frontage. Investigations confirmed that conservation of the fragile terracotta facade would require an extraordinary intervention -the careful dismantling and reconstruction of the facade to address the underlying structural and durability issues.

CORE provided specialist engineering advice to guide the conservation strategy and ensure the heritage fabric could be preserved while addressing safety and structural performance.

The facade was safeguarded through extensive scaffolding works before restoration commenced. Approximately 80% of the terracotta tiles were individually removed, assessed and reinstated -requiring meticulous coordination and careful engineering oversight.

CORE had also previously delivered structural strengthening works to the building, installing carbon fibrere inforcement to the existing floor slabs, enhancing structural capacity while minimising intervention to the heritage structure.

Through close collaboration with key stakeholders, the facade was successfully conserved and reinstated. The project was recognised with a Highly Commended award in the Built Conservation category at the 2024 National Trust Heritage Awards, acknowledging the careful restoration of this significant heritage facade.

Commercial Office, Residential/Strata, Retail, Façade

5-7 Charles St, Parramatta, Sydney

CORE was engaged to deliver complete facade design and construction-phase support for the 49-storey, mixed-use development at 5-7 Charles Street, Parramatta. From early design through to on-site delivery, our role extended well beyond technical documentation – acting as a trusted advisor to support our client through complex coordination, stakeholder challenges, and real-time construction issues. The result was a high-performance, visually refined facade system that balanced architectural intent, constructability, thermal performance and program certainty.

Design & Technical Scope

Fixed and operable glass window wall system wrapping approximately 80% of the building envelope
Integrated sliding door systems for seamless indoor-outdoor connection
Custom spigot-supported half window wall balustrades
Independent and integrated cladding systems
Detailed THERM thermal modelling and performance analysis
Interface coordination with primary structure and mechanical services

Construction Phase Services

Ongoing QA inspections to maintain design integrity and build quality
Real-time on-site issue resolution and consultant coordination

Delivering Value Beyond Technical Engineering

Our greatest impact came through proactive communication, leadership and ongoing support throughout construction.

Advocacy through clarity: When complex issues emerged on site, CORE carefully reviewed project history, design decisions and technical interfaces to provide clear, factual guidance. This helped our client navigate challenges with confidence, ensuring matters were resolved efficiently and fairly – without unnecessary risk or delay.

Bridging design and delivery: By working closely with builders and consultants, we translated technical requirements into practical, buildable solutions, maintaining architectural intent while keeping the project moving.

Confidence at every stage: Our regular site presence, QA inspections and responsive advice gave the client certainty around performance, quality and outcomes – not just compliance.

Hospitality, Façade

Club Liverpool, 185 George Street, Liverpool, NSW

CORE was engaged to deliver a facade upgrade for Club Liverpool with the objective of modernising the building’s appearance. The design incorporates new glazing and striking aluminium architectural features, including battens and perforated screens with complex three-dimensional geometry.

Optimised Design for Performance and Cost Efficiency

To achieve the right balance between cost and performance, our facade engineers used Finite Element Modelling (FEM) in Strand7 to optimise the design of the perforated panels. Careful attention was given to panel thickness, as the smallest adjustments could significantly impact the project budget. By optimising the geometry and engineering, we delivered a solution that met the architectural vision while keeping costs under control.

Agile Problem-Solving Through Construction Challenges

As this was an upgrade to an existing building, close coordination with the structural engineer and subcontractors was critical.

Tolerances were tight and as demolition revealed unexpected misalignments across multiple elevations, our team responded quickly by tailoring design solutions for each affected area. This flexible, problem-solving approach ensured construction could progress without compromising on performance or aesthetics.

Through ongoing collaboration with the client and project partners, CORE has helped transform Club Liverpool into a modern, vibrant facility. Our role demonstrates how we combine advanced technical design with a people-first, solutions-driven approach that keeps projects moving forward even when challenges arise mid-construction.

Aged Care/Health, Façade

Aero Healthcare, 2 Cameron Drive, Armidale, NSW

When Aero Healthcare experienced severe overheating issues in their facility, the client turned to CORE for support.
As a national supplier of first aid and medical products, their building needed to be safe, comfortable and operationally reliable.Instead, newly installed glazing was creating extreme internal temperatures, compromising both comfort and safety.

Pinpointing the Root Cause of Extreme Heat

Our facade team guided the client through a structured process to uncover the root cause. Testing revealed that, even in winter, the internal surface temperature of the glass could cause third-degree burns within one minute of contact – a clear sign that something in the glass design had gone wrong.

Practical, Cost-Saving Fix with Lasting Confidence

Rather than proposing a costly full replacement, we developed a practical, cost effective solution. By reversing and reinstalling the glazing panels, performance could be restored without major expenditure. A site trial confirmed the
effectiveness of the approach, with retesting showing that surface temperatures returned to safe levels. We also conducted a sun study to ensure the solution would perform year-round across seasonal changes.

The outcome for Aero Healthcare was a safer, high-performing building envelope – achieved with minimal disruption and significant cost savings.

Beyond resolving the technical issue, our people-first approach meant working alongside the client with clear communication, transparency and ongoing support. CORE continues to monitor glazing performance in partnership with the client, ensuring the building remains fit for purpose long into the future.

Commercial Office, Façade

270 Pitt St – Sydney CBD, NSW

CORE’s facade design team partnered with Built to deliver the facade upgrade at 270 Pitt Street, Sydney – a $170 million transformation into a vibrant A-grade workplace designed to foster connection and growth.

Our role extended from Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) through to completion, ensuring that both the technical outcomes and client experience were of the highest standard.

Adaptive Solutions for Complex Refurbishment Challenges

As this was a refurbishment of an existing building, the project presented challenges that required adaptability and innovation. As demolition progressed, previously concealed conditions were uncovered, requiring us to rapidly resolve
design issues in real time.

Our team worked closely with the builder to refine installation sequences, particularly around complex interfaces with neighbouring buildings such as a church. To support decision-making, we developed 3D models of intricate
junctions, enabling the client to clearly visualise how components would come together and reducing uncertainty during delivery.

Hands-On Partnership That Builds Confidence

Key design contributions included the lobby glazing, stone facade features andtop-floor modifications to incorporate frameless balustrades while ensuring compliance with weatherproofing and performance standards. By developing
practical performance solutions, we were also able to help manage costs without compromising quality.

Beyond the technical delivery, we placed a strong emphasis on being present and hands-on. Our engineers attended site regularly, providing timely input that supported the builder and kept the project moving forward.

This proactive and collaborative approach reflects CORE’s people-first value – we don’t just deliver facade designs, we focus on relationships, communication and problem-solving that give our clients confidence at every stage.