Walsh Bay Arts District 

Sydney Harbor, Australia 

Modern house on a floating platform in a harbor with city skyline in the background.

The redevelopment of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct on Sydney Harbor is not only preserving the wharf’s heritage but has incorporated renewable thermal energy to deliver energy–efficient cooling to the facility.

SEAWATER ADVANTAGES

The adoption of the seawater cooling system at Walsh Bay Wharf 4/5 offered a number of advantages including: 

Incorporating heritage compliance, the system ensures energy savings, especially during peak periods, while also delivering excellent acoustic performance. Additionally, it eliminates legionella control and prevents corrosion associated with rooftop equipment, all the while operating as a closed-loop system with no water consumption.

Aerial view of Sydney Harbour featuring the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and surrounding buildings, with boats sailing in the water.
A blue circle with a dark blue plant or leaf icon in the center.
A graphic of a water droplet held by a stylized hand within a circle, using shades of blue.
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Icon of a pipe leaking water with droplets falling onto a pipe
A blue circular icon with a sound wave waveform in the center.
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Acoustic Performance

Heritage Compliance

Water Conservation

Energy Savings

Corrosion Prevention

Legionella Control

This Mega Project marks the first of its kind in Australia, signifying a groundbreaking leap forward for the nation's innovative endeavors.

The seawater cooling system serving Walsh Bay Wharf 4/5 represents the first use of titanium plate heat exchangers of this type in Australia. “Previous systems, such as the Wharf Terraces at Woolloomooloo, and the Sydney Water Police station utilized PE (polyethylene) coils,” says GeoExchange Australia’s Yale Carden, M.AIRAH. PE coils were not deemed suitable at Walsh Bay because they require a significantly larger installation area to achieve the equivalent thermal capacity. “This would have made installation between the non-uniform pylons very difficult,” Carden says. “But PE coils also would have required a significantly higher number of joints, pipework and supporting systems.” 

AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST

Large industrial rack with multiple blue-handled tools or parts resting on a metal frame, located in a workshop setting.
Three workers in orange safety vests and helmets working on a floating platform in a harbor, with a small boat, buildings, and a parked car in the background.
Large industrial metal structure with diamond-plate panels and cross-bracing, situated on a concrete floor in a workshop.

The over-water demolition and construction created a number of unique challenges in respect to protecting the marine environment below. 

Spill management techniques, such as the installation of bunding and spill kits, were employed to prevent spills into the harbour. Extensive surveying, recording of pile locations and structural strengthening works were also undertaken to minimise works to the seabed. 

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Construction workers on scaffolding and building a multi-story structure near the water, with a crane on a floating platform.
Sydney Harbour with boats, city skyline, and Harbour Bridge at sunset.
A metal animal trap with sharp spikes inside, surrounded by wooden posts and black wires.

PROJECT DETAILS & DESIGN INFORMATION

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