AIRAH Awards 2023: Benmax wins Excellence in Sustainability gong

NSW-based mechanical services provider Benmax has received the Excellence in Sustainability honour at the AIRAH Awards 2023.

Engaged under a D&C contract, Benmax delivered the HVAC services for the 3,100m2 purpose-built Snow Concert Hall. The five-storey music facility includes an acoustically tuned concert hall with capacity for 1,400 people, tuition rooms, music classrooms, student commons, and library.

Features include a partial subterranean design, with the new construction sitting 15m below neighbouring buildings; geothermal energy (ground-source heat pump) technology to condition the structure and support a 50 per cent reduction in annual energy use; acoustic isolation and attenuation considerations; exposed services; use of BIM technology; and prefabricated modular construction enabling installation of the primary plant room in under eight hours.

The Excellence in Sustainbility award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services. Products are not eligible in this category.