Structural | CORE Consulting Engineers

Commercial Office, Retail, Façade, Structural

Audi Showroom ‒ Zetland, NSW

Turning Design Vision Into Buildable Outcomes

Delivering upgrades within existing buildings often requires balancing architectural ambition with the realities of existing structures, interfaces and constraints. CORE provided structural and facade engineering services for upgrades within Audi Zetland, supporting the delivery of new infrastructure and façade improvements while maintaining alignment between design intent and practical delivery outcomes.

Solving Complex Integration Challenges

A key project challenge involved retrofitting a new multi-floor internal stair within the existing building structure. The stair, constructed as a welded steel framed system, required careful consideration of existing conditions, interfaces and structural modifications to achieve the desired outcome.

At the same time, facade cladding upgrades required coordination across multiple project interfaces to maintain alignment between architectural requirements and practical construction outcomes.

A Practical, Collaborative Approach

CORE worked alongside the architectural team to deliver coordinated, practical and commercially considered outcomes.

Project Scope:

Retrofit design for a new multi-floor welded steel framed internal stair
Structural modifications to accommodate new works within the existing structure
Facade engineering services supporting cladding upgrades
Coordination across multiple stakeholders and project disciplines

Value Delivered:

Practical solutions tailored to existing building constraints
Strong alignment between design intent, buildability and delivery requirements
Early coordination to support efficient decision-making
Proactive collaboration to support better project outcomes

Hospitality, Façade, Structural

InterContinental Sydney, Coogee Beach, NSW

Delivering Complex Existing Building Upgrades To Support A Premium Guest Experience

CORE provided structural and facade engineering services to support significant upgrades associated with the transformation of the former Crowne Plaza Coogee into the InterContinental Coogee. The project included a complex infinity pool retrofit within the existing structure, upgraded guest amenity spaces and hotel-wide sliding door and window upgrades designed to enhance performance, aesthetics and overall guest experience.The facade scope also included glazing upgrades across the hotel, requiring careful consideration of installation sequencing and weatherproofing requirements while retaining the existing external perforated facade screens.

Supporting The Transformation Of Existing Infrastructure

Retrofitting a new infinity pool into the suspended Level 1 terrace slab
Structural support for a new pool bar, spa awning and landscaped terrace upgrades
Structural modifications required to facilitate the installation of a new lift within the hotel
Upgrades to the entry porte cochere
Upgrades to hotel room sliding doors and windows
Technical support for glazing product selection, facade subcontractor tender evaluation and on-site quality assurance

Delivering Value Beyond Technical Design

Working closely with architects and specialist consultants, CORE provided practical advice beyond technical delivery to support efficient, buildable and commercially considered outcomes.

Optimised pool positioning and set out to minimise unnecessary demolition while supporting the desired guest experience outcomes
Provided guidance around landscaping locations and loading requirements to balance architectural intent with structural performance
Supported coordination across multiple interfaces to streamline design development and delivery
Delivered practical retrofit solutions aligned with long-term asset performance and premium hospitality outcomes
Developed facade solutions that enabled glazing and weatherproofing upgrades without removing the existing perforated facade screens

Heritage, Retail, Structural

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.

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.

Government, Industrial/Logistics, Structural

Piper Drive – Ballina, NSW

Our structural division was engaged by MODE Design to deliver full engineering and modelling services for a new multi-storey council depot located on Piper Drive, Ballina. The facility includes a ground-floor warehouse and a first-floor office, all within a steel-framed structure tailored to meet the operational needs of Ballina Shire Council.

Timeline:

Design – 2023

Construction – 2024

MODE’s Vision, Engineered To Perform

From the outset, we added value through early design collaboration – working closely with MODE to refine structural options that balanced buildability, cost-efficiency and designintent. Our comparative analysis of concrete versus steel framing systems provided the clarity needed to proceed confidently with a steel solution, streamlining the structural
grid and reducing material waste while supporting MODE’s architectural vision.

A key area where we supported MODE was in the detailing of architecturally exposed elements, including cantilevered staircases and a visually prominent 10-metre-long awning on the building’s northern side. These components required
careful engineering to ensure performance under live and environmental loads, while preserving the clean architectural lines essential to the design narrative.

Our team’s proactive coordination with MODE’s design team allowed for seamless integration of these features into the overall structure, minimising redesign and delay during documentation.

Throughout construction, we provided consistent technical support – including site inspections, real-time issue resolution and final certification, ensuring the project moved efficiently from design to delivery.

Our proven track record working with local councils helped streamline compliance with statutory requirements and contributed to the timely approval process for Ballina Shire Council.

This project demonstrates the value we bring as a collaborative and solutions-focused structural partner – delivering more than just engineering, we bring clarity, coordination and confidence to every stage of the project.

Read More "Piper Drive – Ballina, NSW"

Faith-Based Buildings, Education, Electrical, Façade, Fire Engineering & Fire Protection, Hydraulic, Mechanical, Remedial, Structural

Sydney Catholic & Anglican Schools

Delivering Integrated, People-First Solutions Across Multiple Educational Campuses

CORE has developed a strong and ongoing partnership with Sydney Catholic & Anglican Schools, delivering end-to-end engineering consultancy services across a number of primary and secondary education projects throughout Greater Sydney and regional New South Wales.

Our multi-disciplinary capabilities have supported the successful planning, design and delivery of projects at:

Holy Spirit Catholic College, Lakemba
St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Mortlake
St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Meadowbank
Shellharbour Anglican College
St Aloysius College, Cronulla

These projects reflect our ability to respond to the complex and evolving needs of educational environments, delivering tailored solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and long-term value for students, educators, and administrators alike.

Our scope of services across these campuses has included electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, fire, civil, structural, and facade engineering. Each site presented unique challenges – from site constraints in dense urban settings to integration with existing infrastructure and staged construction around live school environments.

Through close collaboration with architects, project managers, and Sydney Catholic Schools’ planning teams, CORE ensured that all building services were designed to meet modern educational standards while supporting sustainability objectives, operational efficiency, and ease of long-term maintenance.

Engineering Educational Spaces for Performance and Longevity…

Educational environments require a people-first approach that goes beyond technical delivery. Considerations around student wellbeing, acoustic comfort, natural ventilation, lighting, and safety are central to our design philosophy.

Our ability to deliver coordinated, in-house consultancy services means fewer handovers, faster issue resolution and a more unified outcome that aligns with the school’s vision and values.

Whether designing for new learning spaces, administration buildings, or upgrades to essential infrastructure, CORE consistently provides thoughtful, responsive engineering solutions that support the holistic development of school communities.

Faith-Based Buildings, Electrical, Fire Engineering & Fire Protection, Mechanical, Structural

Nan Tien Temple – Berkeley, NSW

CORE was engaged to provide multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy services for a highly sensitive and culturally significant project at the Nan Tien Temple – Australia’s largest Buddhist temple, located in Berkeley, near Wollongong.

Our scope included electrical, mechanical, civil, fire, façade, and structural engineering services, all delivered in support of the integration of a new lift system within the temple’s existing structure.

This upgrade was intended to enhance accessibility for worshippers and visitors, while ensuring minimal disruption to the function and integrity of the temple.

Timeline: 6 weeks – design

Mindful Integration Within a Living Place of Worship

Given the spiritual and cultural importance of Nan Tien Temple, our design approach was deeply respectful and mindful of the environment we were working within.

Faith-based buildings demand not only technical expertise but also a nuanced understanding of how engineering interventions affect the daily operation, acoustics, atmosphere, and visual harmony of the space.

The addition of the lift required significant coordination across all disciplines – structural adaptations to accommodate the lift shaft, re-routing of mechanical and electrical systems, and careful integration of fire safety requirements – all while preserving the aesthetic and spiritual ambience of the temple.

The project was completed under a fast-tracked design timeline, with CORE delivering a comprehensive and coordinated design package in a matter of weeks. This quick turnaround was achieved through close collaboration between our in-house teams, allowing us to anticipate service clashes early and propose efficient, buildable solutions.

By taking a people-first engineering approach, we ensured that our designs supported not only the functional upgrade of the facility but also the comfort, dignity, and spiritual experience of its users – reinforcing our commitment to engineering with empathy and precision in spaces that serve communities.

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

‘Uniting Bramley’ Aged Care Village, Beecroft, NSW

Situated in leafy Beecroft, Uniting Bramley is favoured amongst locals for its location – just moments from Beecroft Place shopping centre and Beecroft train station, it is perfect for those needing to downsize.

CORE has been engaged to provide electrical, fire, hydraulic and structural engineering consultancy services pertaining to Uniting Bramley’s aged care village. The village consists of 46, 2-bedroom aged care residences that are spread across three low-rise buildings.

The scope of work will see significant upgrades and modernisation carried out to existing buildings with the objective of optimising usable space and delivering on end-users changing requirements.

Working closely with the architect, AI Design, the CORE team are tasked with assessing existing assets and preparing a recommendation that supports the Client’s vision, timelines and budget. We are also facilitating DA lodgment with Hornsby Council.

Our MEPF and Structures divisions are working closely to provide a design that enhances Uniting Bramley’s residences with tenant comfort and experience in mind. We are also providing rectification solutions to improve elements of the original design to ensure these locations reflect and align with proposed modern additions.

Timeline

Currently undergoing design (3 – 6 month estimate)

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

‘Anthem Care’ Residential Aged Care, Hornsby, NSW

CORE were initially contacted by Blissett Group to provide pre-engagement advice regarding a new residential aged care development in Hornsby. During this period, our team collaborated with both the Client as well as their preferred local and international suppliers to determine optimal construction methods.

Testament to our quality advice and having gained a strong understanding of Client objectives, CORE was formally engaged to deliver design services from concept to completion across all major disciplines: mechanical, electrical, fire, hydraulic, facades, structures.

Timeline

Our team is currently undergoing design for the 12-storey aged care facility with commercial tenants and assisted living units. We estimate a 6 – 9 month completion timeframe for design.

A Welcome Addition to Hornsby’s Community Hub

Located in the middle of the Pacific Highway and adjacent to Hornsby station and key community sites such as Hornsby Westfield, Anthem Care’s new facility is a welcome addition to Hornsby’s community hub.

This project is a great example of what CORE does best – showcasing our ability to deliver 360-degree engineering solutions via our in-house team of experts, providing seamless project coordination of multi-disciplinary services and all bolstered by exceptional communication.

CORE are committed to delivering on the Client’s vision, with superior engineering and Client experience at the helm of our offering.