2015 ACT Excellence Award Winners

Held at the Hotel Realm in August, the NECA ACT Awards were presented in front of 300 industry peers and recognise excellence in the electrical industry across nine categories. NECA ACT would like to thank all members who submitted nominations and look forward to their support again next year. NECA would also like to thank the judging panel, Darrell Hills, Ray Reavley and Paul McKenzie. 

(ACT award winners)

 

The winners for the 2015 NECA ACT Excellence Awards are:

>Domestic Residence

Winner: Enercorp - Maxwell Street
Combining Japanese aesthetics with Australian construction materials, the Maxwell Street residence used robust and bold materials including polished concrete block work, recycled timber as decorative features, and stainless steel fixtures. LED strip lighting was perfectly integrated into the beautiful timber features, giving the residence a warm minimalist feel. 

Constant collaboration with the client, builder and architect was required by Enercorp to achieve the desired outcomes. Sustainability was integral to the design. Solar panels, heat transfer systems, vacuum tested wall and ceiling linings, and automatic blinds and windows control the temperature in the house, without the need for heating and cooling. 

Photo: Glenn Langby of NHP accepting award on behalf of Enercorp,
Barry Skinner - NECA ACT President.

 

>Small Contracting Business 

Winner: Casper Electrics

The electrical design given to Casper Electrics for the BOSE outlet store gave no specifications of the power loads for the display equipment to be installed. Casper Electrics had to create an electrical solution that would accommodate whatever the client wanted to install in the store. With strict working hours, much of the work was completed after hours. 

Energy-efficient, eco-friendly lighting was installed throughout the outlet. A number of minor design alternations required Casper Electrics to be flexible in their approach to many aspects of the project, and with so many trades working together, safety systems were established and periodic audits conducted to ensure compliance.

Photo: Joel Woolstencroft - TLE; Paul Hardinge - Casper Electric;
Barry Skinner - NECA ACT  President.
 

>Energy Efficiency and Environment

Winner: Lorking Electrical - Wetspot Water Sports LED Lighting Upgrade
When Wetspot Water Sports moved to a refurbished old warehouse it resulted in a massive increase in power bills for this sporting equipment retailer.  With the 50, 400W metal halide high bays using in excess of 200 kilowatts a day, Lorking Electrical was asked to design an energy efficient solution that still captured the warm glow of the existing lights.

The client wanted to achieve at least a 50% saving in power costs, but was concerned about damaging the old roof. Custom made LEDs were needed to obtain the desired colour temperature, with the LED upgrade, achieving a 75% reduction in energy consumption of the warehouse.

Photo: Jack Bruce - L&H; Ben Lorking - Lorking Electrical;
Barry Skinner - NECA ACT President. 

 

>Lighting

Winner: Stowe Australia - Australian War Memorial External Lighting Upgrade
This was a project of national significance. A Lighting Master Plan, designed in 2007, provides the lighting template for the Australian War Memorial. Stowe Australia designed and installed new external and commemorative area lighting for the National Memorial Building, reinforcing its architectural form, without the lighting becoming a feature in itself. 

The project delivered energy efficient building lighting, which aimed to appropriately illuminate and focus attention on the significant architectural and sculptural form of the National Memorial Building. In addition, new LED lights have dramatically improved the night-time presence of this National Heritage listed building in the nation’s capital. 

Photo: Barry Skinner - NECA ACT President; Trent Seymour - Stowe Australia;
Tom Emelues - NECA Group Training General Manager

 

>Industrial – Small Project

Winner: Shepherd Electrical - Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex 22KV Switchgear Works
The Deep Space Communications facility engaged Shepherd Electrical for the replacement of non-compliant High Voltage cabling and switchgear that was no longer serviceable, and the reticulation of new mains and sub mains to and from a new High Voltage Switchboard. Two transformers of 3700kVA and 500kVA were also installed. 
 
Earthing was a particular concern and had to comply with AS 2067. The High Voltage switchgear selected has encapsulated vacuum type circuit breakers, that dose not contain any SF6 gas. Shepherd Electrical are now developing a strategy to install a site wide UPS.
 
Photo: Barry Skinner-NECA ACT President; David Shepherd-Shepherd Electrical;
Frank Iirrilli-Clipsal/Schneider.
 
 

>Voice/Data

Winner: RCR O’Donnell Griffin - DHS Connectivity Project CDC Fyshwick
The Department of Human Services has become the anchor tenant in the new Canberra Data Centre facility in Fyshwick. This challenging project saw RCR O’Donnell Griffin install more than 2,200 metres of fibre optic cable in a blend of cutting edge optical fibre technology and a 10 gigabit Cat 6A copper solution. 

RCR ODG was also responsible for cable pathways within the site, and linking the DHS pods to the incoming carrier and ICON distribution facilities. Due to the pathways traversing common areas, all pathways comprised sealed, continuous steel conduit, incorporating SCEC endorsed pull-through boxes at various locations. 


Photo: Barry Skinner - NECA ACT President; Kevin Burgess - RCR O'Donnell Griffin;
Ash Parrott-simPRO

 

>Small Project

Winner: RCR O'Donnell Griffin - Canberra College Cares
The new Canberra College Cares building is designed to help pregnant and young mothers to complete their year 12 education.  The facility includes classrooms, play areas, health clinics, offices, and counselling rooms.  RCR O’ Donnell Griffin worked closely with the builder and architect to ensure the latest energy saving technology was incorporated into this unique project. 

The layout of the lighting and electrical components was particularly complex, with different finishes, varied ceiling heights and no traditional roof cavity.  Motion sensors for the lighting were utilised and a 30Kw Solar PV system was installed on the roof of the Heart building. 


Photo: Craig Simmons-Access Canberra; Kevin Burgess- RCR O'Donnell Griffin;
Barry Skinner-NECA ACT President.
 

>Commercial - Medium Project

Winner: Martin Donnelly - Canberra Data Centre
This new Data Centre required an extensive power and lighting fit-out. Under phase 1, Martin Donnelly successfully installed over 390 tons of copper sub mains, using over 2000 lugs in their termination. Twelve separate generator supply sub mains were installed, including mains cables between the generators and diesel generator switchboards. 

The project included the procurement, installation and commission of six main switchboards; house services distribution boards; uninterrupted power supplies in the communications rooms and other UPS power outlets; DALI lighting control and DALI controlled emergency and evacuation lighting; and the design and construction of a building lighting protection system. 

Photo: Barry Skinner - NECA ACT President; Steven Doherty-Martin Donelly;
Mynas Leontios-NESS Super.
 

>Commercial - Large Project

Winner: Star Group - Australian Defence Force Academy Redevelopment 
The ADFA redevelopment project provided vital upgrades to existing facilities, as well as new buildings such as the 1200 seat auditorium, indoor sports centre, and site wide infrastructure.  Star Group’s work included all electrical, communications, security, audio and visual, MATV and fire protection solutions throughout the campus. 

The works were undertaken on a fully operational defence site, posing difficulties in site access and environmental issues. 

Photo: Scott Milroy-HPM Legrand; Jade Coleman-Star Group;
Barry Skinner-NECA ACT President.

 

>Commendations:

Commercial - Small Project     
Shepherd Electrical - Autohaus Mercedes Benz Showroom
Stowe Australia - Optus Hume Exchange Distribution Boards Install

Commercial - Medium Project    
Rutledge AV - First World War Galeries Redevelopment

Commercial - Large Project     
RCR O'Donnell Griffin - DHS Connectivity Project CDC Fyshwick

 

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