Project
Central Energy Plant Installation
Key Challenges
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Extremely restricted plant and pipework installation areas
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Maintaining uninterrupted climate control in live heritage buildings
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Balancing interdependent building loads during commissioning
Outcomes
30% reduction in precinct-wide energy use
Continuous operation of live cultural buildings
Secured follow-on project with Multiplex
The Client
Multiplex Constructions is a globally recognised construction firm founded in Perth in 1962. With a portfolio of over 1,100 completed projects worth more than US$100 billion, the company operates across Australia, the UK, Canada, and the Middle East. Their reputation is built on delivering technically complex, large-scale developments in commercial, cultural, and civic spaces.
Notably, Multiplex has been responsible for high-profile projects such as Wembley Stadium in London, Federation Square in Melbourne, and Sydney’s Quay Quarter Tower. Backed by Brookfield Asset Management, they are known for reliability, technical excellence, and financial strength.
Envar and Multiplex have shared a successful three-decade relationship. This enduring partnership has seen collaboration across numerous high-value, complex projects, including the development of infrastructure in culturally sensitive and publicly significant precincts.
What we achieved with our customer
The Central Energy Plant project at the Perth Cultural Centre was a critical infrastructure upgrade designed to enhance energy efficiency and climate stability across several heritage-listed and operational public buildings. The new plant was tasked with supporting the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Library, the State Theatre, and the newly built New Museum.
Envar managed the removal of existing HVAC equipment from legacy systems, followed by the installation of 24 pumps, five chillers, three boilers, and two refrigerant recovery units. All major equipment was delivered through a modular strategy, allowing efficient assembly in highly constrained spaces.
To interconnect the buildings, a central ring main reticulation network was laid beneath the precinct, enabling energy transfer between sites. A heat recovery chiller was also implemented to pre-heat water serving the New Museum, contributing to energy reuse and performance gains.
Throughout the project, the team maintained uninterrupted climate control in all buildings, preserving critical environmental conditions, especially within the Art Gallery. Post-installation, Envar continued plant tuning and monthly energy reporting through to the warranty expiry in November 2021. The project ultimately achieved a 30% reduction in overall energy consumption and led directly to Envar securing the follow-on contract for the New Perth Museum.
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