National Archives of Australia
Project Overview
| Sector: | Government, Health & Research |
| Location: | Australia - Canberra |
| Year Completed: | 2019 |
Project Features
- Major refurbishment project
- 10,000 sqm two storey building
- Critical climate archival storage facility
- 24 x 7 operation
- BIM technology utilised extensively
- Benmax performed Lead Services Contractor role
Project Details
Comprehensive refurbishment of critical climate archival storage facility
Awarded the mechanical services contract for the design and construct project by Construction Control, Benmax completed a major refurbishment of the 10,000 sqm archival storage facility located in Mitchell, Canberra.
Constructed in 1981, the government owned building required a significant overhaul to ensure its integrity as a critical climate archival storage facility could be maintained. The facility is responsible for preserving records that reflect Australian history and identity and include paper records, audio-visual records and a digital archive and requires critical climate conditions to minimise temperature and humidity variations across key areas of the building to ensure items are not damaged and do not deteriorate.
Wanting to maintain the exterior façade of the building, the project focused on the removal of the existing roof to make way for the construction of a ‘concrete lid’, as well as a complete refurbishment of the building interior including essential plant and services.
The mechanical system includes air cooled chillers; gas fired boilers; thermal storage tanks; dehumidifiers; humidifiers; AHUs; fume cupboards; computer room air conditioning units; cold storage; as well as various miscellaneous air conditioning and ventilation systems.
A BMCS monitors air quality to help prevent any potential corrosion of the stored items as well as energy usage, alarms and provides the user with diagnostic capability to help keep the facility operation optimised.
Benmax successfully completed work on the project in 2019.
Benmax provided a seamless and comprehensive mechanical design, construction and commissioning service to this critical government facility. The design and practical hands-on experience of the Benmax team was a critical factor in us providing the strict internal climate conditions required for the archive spaces.
Peter Wright, Director – Construction Control
