In our work with Woolworths we are responsible for a combination of traditional design, design and construct (D&C) tender, peer review and auditing (condition assessments) services. We have assisted Woolworths to refurbish, expand and construct stores across Queensland, including stand-alone supermarkets and stores within shopping centres.

Supermarkets we have recently worked on include: Woolworths Banyo, Woolworths Aspley Hypermarket, Woolworths Indooroopilly and Woolworths Eatons Hill.

In our role as services engineer, issues such as reduced plant room clearance or limited access to plant areas often arise. We are responsible for finding workable solutions and coordinating with other disciplines to address these challenges. For example, a recurring problem we have worked to overcome is light spillage and minimising obtrusive lighting to other premises.

3D Revit software is used to model the Woolworths stores and address coordination issues on various projects. In some cases, signage design and location can present specific problems to the sprinkler system and the lights within a supermarket. This type of issue can be rectified by modelling the placement of signs within lighting simulation packages to ensure a compliant design. Sprinkler spacings can then be adjusted so the design is safe and allows for the original sign locations to remain.

The impact to surrounding properties from obtrusive lighting is often one of the biggest issues around constructing a new supermarket. To address this, our team undertakes lighting designs that are compliant to AS4282-1997.

Each Woolworths store presents a different challenge for the building services designer. The use of BIM software in the design process has meant issues and coordination requirements are planned out in advance, thus reducing onsite coordination and costly surprises. Our team is proud to have travelled the journey of implementing BIM solutions that have benefited Woolworths projects across Queensland.