Commercial Tower Fitout Review

people provide 24/7 engineering support

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saving pa by upskilling employees to self-deliver specific tasks

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anticipated saving to client by increasing self-delivery of reactive work

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m² covered in terminals 1-5 and the train station

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// Challenge

Overview

At 28 Freshwater Place, all tenant fitouts are subject to a mandatory review process to assess their impact on building systems, sustainability targets, and alignment with the base building
fitout guide.

Conservia undertook a review of a ~2,000 m² office fitout that included typical open-plan spaces, meeting rooms, and a fully operational commercial-grade show kitchen. While the formal objective was to confirm compliance and sustainability alignment, the review also surfaced several design considerations that, if unaddressed, could have created performance or comfort issues after construction.

Design, Documentation & Services Coordination

Fitout Review Process

Design, Documentation & Services Coordination

What we did:

Why it mattered:

Who benefited:

// Challenge

Key Value Delivered

  • 💰 $200,000 Capital Saving (Landlord):

    The proposed grease trap design was significantly oversized. Early engagement with the authority enabled a revised, fit-for-purpose solution — saving substantial installation costs.

  • 🚧 Avoided Construction Rework (Landlord & Tenant):

    Technical design mismatches were corrected before going to tender, reducing the risk of variations and program delays.

  • Maintained Base Building System Performance (Landlord):

    The fitout’s energy and ventilation demands were brought into alignment with the building’s system capacities, preserving efficiency and resilience.

  • 😊 Enhanced Occupant Experience (Tenant):

    Risks to comfort and functionalit — such as acoustics, ventilation balance, and energy visibility — were addressed early, creating a more stable and high-performing tenancy.

// Services

Additional Observations

What we noted:

An acoustic issue was identified related to the proposed ductwork layout, which could have led to unwanted sound transfer between internal spaces.

Why it mattered:

While not a compliance issue under the fitout guide, poor acoustic performance can
impact the tenant’s long-term experience. Once base building services are modified, it
becomes difficult to determine whether performance issues originate from tenant fitout decisions or inherent building limitations.

Who benefited:

Conclusion

This review was part of the standard approval process at 28 Freshwater Place. Its core purpose was to assess sustainability impacts and confirm alignment with the building’s fitout guide — but it delivered far more than just a compliance tick.

By addressing design risks early, the landlord avoided unnecessary capital costs and protected critical building services. The tenant, in turn, benefited from a space more likely to perform as
intended from day one — in terms of comfort, functionality, and system reliability.

Perhaps most importantly, the process reduced the risk of performance issues after tenant occupation. Once the builder and contractor leave at the end of the Defects Liability Period (DLP), responsibility for resolving problems becomes more complex. If issues arise — such as ventilation imbalances, acoustic discomfort, or inconsistent energy performance — it’s often difficult post occupancy to determine whether the cause lies with the base building or with tenant-installed systems.

Early-stage design reviews create a clearer line of accountability, helping avoid finger-pointing later and ensuring that both landlord and tenant start from a position of clarity and shared confidence in how the space will function over the long term

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