projects.
Education, Research and Health
Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID) | University of Melbourne
AIID will be a purpose built, world-leading biomedical research facility fostering collaboration between scientists and public health experts across multiple organisations.
gemba was engaged to support the engineering design team, leveraging four years of project experience and technical delivery expertise contributed by Heinrich Stander as Structural Lead in his previous employment.
New Engineering Research Campus Fishermans Bend Stage 1 | University of Melbourne
A new vibrant campus for large‐scale research, creating new opportunities for cross‐disciplinary collaboration and partnerships with industry. The research laboratories covers the following research areas – hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, energy, autonomous systems, heavy industrial and structural, geotechnical and robotics. The project involved the design and delivery of the campus and the integration of the campus within the broader Fishermans Bend precinct. All the research buildings (industrial structural typology) contained vibration-sensitive equipment.
gemba was engaged to support the engineering design team, leveraging six years of project experience and technical delivery expertise contributed by Warrick Plymin and Heinrich Stander from their previous employment.
Northern Hospital Epping – Compounding Pharmacy Expansion | Northern Health
A specialised upgrade to Northern Health’s pharmacy facility designed to support cytotoxic and biohazard compounding. The project focuses on reconfiguring existing internal spaces to expand the cleanroom and associated anterooms, enabling advanced pharmaceutical preparation and improving operational efficiency within a critical healthcare environment.
gemba’s scope includes structural engineering and design coordination, integrating new works into the existing hospital infrastructure.
NeXT Technology Hub – Concept Design Peer Review | University of Melbourne
The NeXT Technology Hub is a cutting-edge research facility designed to support advanced laboratory environments and innovation at the University of Melbourne. The concept design required a high-level review to ensure engineering strategy, laboratory functionality, and buildability were aligned with project objectives. Key considerations included infrastructure capacity, site constraints, heritage context, and operational requirements.
gemba as lead consultant and in partnership with Collective Engineering and L2D Architects performed the engineering and laboratory planning peer reviews, offering targeted insights and practical recommendations to optimise design outcomes.
Raymond Priestley Building Compliance Upgrade | University of Melbourne
This feasibility study assesses the structural condition of the Raymond Priestley Building and identifies upgrade requirements to ensure compliance and extend its service life. The scope includes evaluating modifications for new roof-level plant, internal layout changes, vertical transport upgrades, and seismic strengthening to inform the Re-Life brief for future design and delivery.
gemba provided structural assessment and upgrade recommendations.
CSIRO Aspendale Relocation Project | CSIRO
This project involves relocating CSIRO’s Environment Group to the Clayton Campus, featuring new laboratories, intelligent storage, and fieldwork facilities to support aerosol and greenhouse gas research. The project involves the repurposing of the existing Building B302, an office and industrial workshop into the new laboratory facility.
gemba is providing structural engineering, including condition assessments, seismic compliance, and structural modifications from schematic design through to construction.
BN139 Babel Building Electrification Project | University of Melbourne
An electrification project involving upgrading works to support the transition from gas to electric systems for the Babel Building (BN139) at the University of Melbourne. The project required validation the existing structural capacity to support a new rooftop steelwork plant platform. Coordination with services subcontractors ensured smooth integration of minor penetrations and service-related structural requirements.
gemba provided structural engineering services for the detail design and construction phases of the project.
Monash University IRP HVAC Upgrades Project| Monash University
HVAC upgrades across seven buildings at Monash University’s Peninsula, Clayton, and Caulfield campuses required new rooftop and ground-level plant platforms, enclosures, and temporary gantries. The project comprises the tender design of the structural modifications to support the new plant.
gemba provided structural engineering to develop the tender design, ensuring practical and cost-effective solutions that minimise the impact on continued business operations.
UoM Chemistry West Feasibility Study | University of Melbourne
A feasibility study for refurbishing Level 3 of the Chemistry West Building to create new research laboratories and workspaces. The scope included structural capacity reviews and demolition impact assessments, prioritising reuse of existing elements to minimise cost and disruption.
gemba provided structural engineering and responsive advice to inform future design and delivery.
Raymond Priestley Building Fit-out | University of Melbourne
This project involves the relocation of the Faculty of Arts from the John Medley Building to the Raymond Priestley Building (RPB) which necessitates an internal refurbishment of the RPB to provide approximately 400 workstations.
During the project feasibility stage, gemba provided detailed feasibility advice to understand the costs associated with seismic upgrade costs should compliance upgrades be triggered.
gemba’s scope includes structural engineering and design coordination.
Burnet Building GMP Clean Room Refurbishment Feasibility | Alfred Health
This project involved a feasibility study and concept design to refurbish an existing PC2 laboratory on Level 4 of the Burnet Building into a certified GMP clean room to serve as the Skin Lab. The scope included structural engineering to understand the base building’s ability to accommodate the proposed specialised pharmaceutical manufacturing environment and associated building service’s needs.
gemba provided structural engineering
45 Barry Street Feasibility Study | University of Melbourne
A feasibility study for redevelopment of a 1930's to 1940’s 6-storey RC building, assessing structural capacity, upgrade requirements, and potential modifications to support new uses. The study includes condition assessments, load analysis, and recommendations for future design development.
gemba provided structural engineering
STEM-M Building Condition Analysis Refresh | University of Melbourne
A refresh of the building condition analysis for STEM-M facilities at the University of Melbourne. The analysis considered 44 buildings at Parkville Campus and involved a comprehensive engineering assessment the current condition to identify maintenance priorities and inform capital expenditure planning. The intent of this study is to help inform the suitability of buildings for redevelopment needs.
gemba led the overall engineering team, supported by Arcadis for Building Services.
Old Quadrangle Building Feasibility Study & Building Investigations| University of Melbourne
A feasibility study for the historic Old Quad building at the University of Melbourne. The assessment evaluates structural condition, heritage constraints, and upgrade requirements to inform potential refurbishment and adaptive reuse strategies.
gemba provided structural engineering services.
Building 53 Electrification | Monash University
This electrification project involves upgrading Building 53 at Monash University to support the transition from gas to electric systems. The scope includes structural assessment of existing infrastructure, design of new plant supports, and coordination with mechanical services.
gemba is providing structural engineering services for the electrification upgrade.
Mildura Campus Electrification | La Trobe University
An electrification project at La Trobe University's Mildura Campus, supporting the transition to sustainable electric infrastructure. The scope includes structural assessment, design of equipment supports, and coordination with campus-wide sustainability initiatives.
gemba is providing structural engineering services for the electrification upgrade.
Peninsula Campus Ambulance Garage Feasibility Study | Monash University
A feasibility study for a new ambulance garage facility at Monash University. The assessment evaluates site constraints, structural requirements, and design considerations to support emergency services operations on campus.
gemba provided structural engineering services
Data Centres
NEXTDC GE1 Geelong Data Centre | Kapitol
This project involves the development of a new data centre prioritising speed to market, reliability, and sustainability. The facility adopts a modular, single-level design tailored for enterprise, government, and defence clients, meeting stringent performance, security, and environmental standards.
gemba is providing structural engineering services and supported by WGA who are providing Civil l engineering services.
NEXTDC M2 Stages 9-11 | Kapitol
NEXTDC’s M2 Stages 9–11 expand its Tier IV-certified data centre campus in Melbourne, delivering approximately 50,000 sqm of high-performance infrastructure. The design prioritises speed to market, operational reliability, and support for high-density IT loads, enabling resilient and scalable connectivity across NEXTDC’s national ecosystem.
gemba, in partnership with WGA, is providing structural and civil engineering services.
Re-lifing and Seismic Compliance
Seismic Upgrade Code Compliance Studies | University of Melbourne
This ongoing program involves seismic compliance assessments for heritage-listed buildings to ensure safety and resilience against current seismic codes. The process includes structural condition reviews, site measurements, and 3D modelling to evaluate capacity and identify upgrade requirements for lateral stability systems, foundations, and diaphragm strengthening. These assessments provide critical insights to guide future redevelopment and compliance strategies.
gemba is delivering structural assessments and upgrade recommendations.
415 Collins Street Redevelopment | Suntop Investment
A redevelopment project at 415 Collins Street involving structural assessment and design services for building upgrades and modifications. The scope includes evaluating existing structural capacity to support a new two-storey extension to a 4-storey heritage building.
gemba is providing structural engineering consultancy services.
New British Consul-General Office Fit-out | Denton Corker Marshall
This project involved a structural review for an office fit-out at 1 Collins Street to accommodate the British Consulate. The scope included structural capacity assessments, partition layout analysis, and coordination with architectural requirements to ensure compliance with building structural capacity. The scope included confirmation that the Level 16 floor design, originally designed for residential loading would be able to support the higher office loading without requiring structural strengthening. We performed specialised 3-d Finite Element Analysis to verify the capacity of the existing system.
gemba provided structural engineering review and advisory services.
Raymond Priestley Building Compliance Upgrade | University of Melbourne
This feasibility study assesses the structural condition of the Raymond Priestley Building and identifies upgrade requirements to ensure compliance and extend its service life. The scope includes evaluating modifications for new roof-level plant, internal layout changes, vertical transport upgrades, and seismic strengthening to inform the Re-Life brief for future design and delivery.
gemba provided structural assessment and upgrade recommendations.
CSIRO Aspendale Relocation Project | CSIRO
This project involves relocating CSIRO’s Environment Group to the Clayton Campus, featuring new laboratories, intelligent storage, and fieldwork facilities to support aerosol and greenhouse gas research.
gemba is providing structural consultancy, including condition assessments, seismic compliance, and structural modifications from schematic design through to construction.
Seismic Compliance Assessment | Preshil
The project entailed a structural condition audit and seismic compliance assessment to inform likely construction costs should code compliance upgrades be triggered by the proposed change in use for the industrial property in Abbotsford. The assessment evaluated the existing structural condition, seismic risks and recommendations to inform acquisition and development considerations.
gemba performed the structural condition audit and seismic compliance assessment.
Burnet Building GMP Clean Room Refurbishment Feasibility | Alfred Health
This project involved a feasibility study and concept design to refurbish an existing PC2 laboratory on Level 4 of the Burnet Building into a certified GMP clean room to serve as the Skin Lab. The scope included structural engineering to understand the base building’s ability to accommodate the proposed specialised pharmaceutical manufacturing environment and associated building service’s needs.
gemba provided structural engineering
45 Barry Street Feasibility Study | University of Melbourne
A feasibility study for redevelopment of a 1930's to 1940’s 6-storey RC building, assessing structural capacity, upgrade requirements, and potential modifications to support new uses. The study includes condition assessments, load analysis, and recommendations for future design development.
gemba provided structural engineering
STEM-M Building Condition Analysis Refresh | University of Melbourne
A refresh of the building condition analysis for STEM-M facilities at the University of Melbourne. The analysis considered 44 buildings at Parkville Campus and involved a comprehensive engineering assessment the current condition to identify maintenance priorities and inform capital expenditure planning. The intent of this study is to help inform the suitability of buildings for redevelopment needs.
gemba led the overall engineering team, supported by Arcadis for Building Services.
Old Quadrangle Building Feasibility Study & Building Investigations| University of Melbourne
A feasibility study for the historic Old Quad building at the University of Melbourne. The assessment evaluates structural condition, heritage constraints, and upgrade requirements to inform potential refurbishment and adaptive reuse strategies.
gemba provided structural engineering services.
Residential
Murrumbeena Community Housing | HCA
HCA’s community residential project at Railway Parade, Murrumbeena has recently completed Design Development stage.
The project features 86 modern and energy-efficient apartments in a four-storey building within a well-connected residential area. It aims to provide safe and secure homes that support long-term community housing needs of Murrumbeena.
gemba is delivering structural engineering with a focus on adaptability and asset performance, underpinning Housing Choices Australia’s commitment to high-quality community housing. We are supported by WGA who are providing Civil and Geotechnical engineering services.
Carnegie Social Housing | HCA
The Housing Choices Australia community residential project at Rosstown Road, Carnegie has recently completed Design Development stage.
The development comprises 58 apartments over five-storeys and will be built to Liveable Housing Australia Silver Level standards and achieve a minimum 7-Star energy rating, helping residents reduce energy use while improving comfort and sustainability.
gemba is delivering our second project with Housing Choices Australia, providing structural engineering with a focus on adaptability and performance, underpinning Housing Choices Australia’s commitment to high-quality community housing. We are supported by WGA who are providing Civil and Geotechnical engineering services.
Yarrabend Estate – River Park | Glenvill
The River Park precinct is a 30-metre-wide corridor along the Yarra River designed to enhance biodiversity, strengthen community connections, and provide high-quality public amenity. The concept design addresses complex site challenges including steep terrain, flood risk, contamination, and heritage constraints, while creating an accessible and sustainable landscape.
gemba’s scope includes structural design input for key elements such as elevated pathways and retaining walls.
Electrification & Sustaining Capital
BN163 Walter Boas Building Electrification Project | University of Melbourne
An electrification project involving upgrading works to support the transition from gas to electric systems for the Walter Boas Building (BN163) at the University of Melbourne. The scope included structural assessment of existing roof and plant areas, strengthening of plant platforms, and coordination with mechanical services.
gemba provided structural engineering services for the electrification upgrade.
Federation Square Miscellaneous Structural Work | MAPCO
This project involves a range of structural consultancy services at Federation Square, including inspections of crash walls and deck structures, design and review for signage installations at NGV and ACMI, and assessment of floor build-up for a new cool room fit-out. Additional support is provided for tenant works and infrastructure upgrades.
gemba is delivering structural inspections, design reviews, and compliance assessments.
BN139 Babel Building Electrification Project | University of Melbourne
An electrification project involving upgrading works to support the transition from gas to electric systems for the Babel Building (BN139) at the University of Melbourne. The project required validation the existing structural capacity to support a new rooftop steelwork plant platform. Coordination with services subcontractors ensured smooth integration of minor penetrations and service-related structural requirements.
gemba provided structural engineering services for the detail design and construction phases of the project.
Monash University IRP HVAC Upgrades Project| Monash University
HVAC upgrades across seven buildings at Monash University’s Peninsula, Clayton, and Caulfield campuses required new rooftop and ground-level plant platforms, enclosures, and temporary gantries. The project comprises the tender design of the structural modifications to support the new plant.
gemba provided structural engineering to develop the tender design, ensuring practical and cost-effective solutions that minimise the impact on continued business operations.
David Penington Building Electrification & Chiller Upgrade | University of Melbourne
The David Penington Building (BN102) houses the University of Melbourne’s Bio21 Research Institute. The project forms part of the University’s Electrification Program and involves the electrification of mechanical services, replacement of ageing chillers, and associated infrastructure upgrades.
gemba’s scope includes structural assessment of roof and plant areas, design of new plant support structure, craneage and construction logistics advice, and coordination with building services. As a 24/7 operational research facility, the design prioritises working within the constraints of the existing structure, minimising impact on the building and the loading dock servicing the larger Bio21 complex.
Building 53 Electrification | Monash University
This electrification project involves upgrading Building 53 at Monash University to support the transition from gas to electric systems. The scope includes structural assessment of existing infrastructure, design of new plant supports, and coordination with mechanical services.
gemba is providing structural engineering services for the electrification upgrade.
Mildura Campus Electrification | La Trobe University
An electrification project at La Trobe University's Mildura Campus, supporting the transition to sustainable electric infrastructure. The scope includes structural assessment, design of equipment supports, and coordination with campus-wide sustainability initiatives.
gemba is providing structural engineering services for the electrification upgrade.
Caulfield Racecourse Slab Defect Review | DCWC
A structural review of slab defects at Caulfield Racecourse, investigating the cause and extent of deterioration. The assessment includes condition surveys, material testing coordination, and recommendations for remediation to ensure ongoing structural performance.
gemba provided structural engineering services.