The Thomas Dixon Centre Redevelopment is officially opened, following a large refurbishment and construction of a new facility for Queensland Ballet.

Opened in 1908, the Thomas Dixon Centre was originally commissioned as a shoe factory by entrepreneur Thomas Dixon.

The multi storey building features an interplay of heritage elements and contemporary architecture. The iconic red brick façade has been preserved, with nods to this rare Brisbane example of Georgian revival style architecture celebrated throughout.

With wellness at its core, the new Thomas Dixon Centre will continue to inspire with creativity, innovation and sustainability.

The project faithfully recreated the historic establishment using old image records, following a 25 year period of neglect. Installation of sophisticated fire systems, electrical services, audiovisual services and mechanical air conditioning was required, following a fire that ensued throughout the theatre.

Plans were modified to incorporate a new fly tower – a major structure that ran through the height of the building, from the foundations to the roof.

The most challenging aspect was the reproduction of the Plaza Ballroom below the theatre. Using original images, craftsmen and specialist contractors, the moulded plaster, heritage lighting, painting and metalwork were successfully restored.

Hansen Yuncken introduces Many Minds – a call to action to Work Differently. We’ve always believed that everyone’s ideas are worthy, that’s why we’re bringing together the Many Minds that make Hansen Yuncken what we are today.

Launching the first innovation under the Many Minds banner, our Work Differently Workers Tools – these collaborative activities bring together our people, our clients, subcontractors, and community.

Hansen Yuncken launches refreshed safety management system, HYworkzone.

‘Collaboration from state to state allows knowledge to be shared across the business, from safety applications, to tendering processes and construction quality control. Many minds have collectively refined our business, which is strong and robust across the field.’ — Julian Proud, Construction Manager

The $125 million Rockhampton Hospital expansion was a large project that reinforced Hansen Yuncken’s credentials in Queenslands health sector.

Designed to provide greater and more immediate access to superior cancer treatment and case management services for the region, this project pushed the boundaries of capability in Far North Queensland.

The GIS and digital database management software system developed was the key to the company’s success with the BER, and set Hansen Yuncken apart from other managing contractors struggling with the size and scope of the program.

The development of this management software was to become the foundation of Hansen Yuncken’s smart technology platform known as HYway.

As has always been the case in the evolution of Hansen Yuncken, the larger, more complex projects drive the business to develop better processes and greater skill to successfully complete these major projects.

The City West Campus on Adelaide’s North Terrace was constructed in 20 months and benefitted from Hansen Yuncken’s pioneering spirit.

Off site prefabrication of façade panels and prefabricated steel mall canopies, paired with carefully considered crane placement allowed for efficient materials handling among a busy CBD location.

The project involved construction of eight new buildings, constructed independently along its own critical path network. Creating links between critical paths reduced site activity time and created cost savings without compromising quality.

Hansen Yuncken make its first expansion interstate in 1937, commencing building the T&G Office in Hobart. The company established a branch office in that building once it was completed. In 1941, Hansen Yuncken was contracted to build the Ovaltine factory for Wenden & Co. at Spreyton, south of Devonport.

While the four storey factory and its tall chimney were built using traditional materials and methods – brick and concrete, timber hoists, frames and scaffolds – it represented Hansen Yuncken’s embrace of new transport technologies which enabled it to take on projects in other states that could be administered from the head office in Melbourne.

It was clear from the outset that the dramatic Y-columns at Hobart’s Parliament Square were not going to be straightforward. Rising 14 metres and reaching more than four storeys, these striking columns allow the building to cantilever over a 130-year-old sandstone retaining wall, support a multi- level office complex and form a centrepiece for the building’s lobby.

Each taking three weeks to build, the refined Y-columns were extremely challenging, not only in design but also in construction.

With no second chances, these dramatic elements required meticulous planning and a program of off site prototyping and testing.

The lifting of the NUspace mega truss in Newcastle took just half an hour thanks to extensive planning and preparation, reducing the amount of high-risk work at height.

‘We take on these challenging projects because we are confident in our ability to find innovative delivery solutions.’

— Peter Salveson, CEO

The Australian government managed to escape the global recession brought on by the 2007 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) by guaranteeing bank deposits and establishing two stimulus packages to boost economic activity.

The Building the Education Revolution (BER) program was a whole different ball game. Hansen Yuncken delivered 306 projects in 203 schools around NSW alone. BER school projects were also completed in South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. This massive program of work was planned and constructed in just over 18 months.

“The most satisfying and innovative project has been the Port Botany Container Control Tower, where we constructed the whole structure flat on the ground, then lifted it up in two weeks to 42 metres high, giving savings in access, cranes, scaffold and formwork.

We halved the manpower required and negated falls from height. It produced a spectacular result.

All of these initiatives were encouraged and supported by our construction manager and project manager. We try to share our newly learned expertise with other sites and collect timelapse videos for future use.”

— Ross Pearson, Senior Site Manager

Lauritz Hansen bumped into his long-time friend Otto Yuncken on a Melbourne street corner in 2017. The two shared their challenges, and agreed to pool their resources and talents to establish the firm of Hansen & Yuncken.

With a simple handshake, the decision was formalised. After a successful six-month trial period together, Lauritz (then 52) and Otto (53) legalised their partnership on 9 May 1918 by signing a simple one-page agreement that stated they would share the profit or loss of the company equally.

The SkyCity Adelaide Casino Expansion is the crowning jewel of the Adelaide Riverbank Precinct. Spanning 12 storeys, behind the complex curved golden façade sits an array of bespoke joinery, stonework and brass.

Featuring 120 luxury 5 Star rooms, function and conference spaces, expanded gaming, four new restaurants and two new bars, spa and wellness centre and a boutique pool. This is Adelaide’s newest luxury destination, requiring exceptional planning, commitment and attention to detail from the project team.

The exciting development expands the Casino’s existing footprint, seamlessly integrating the grand heritage railway station with a modern, sophisticated and iconic new building.

Hansen Yuncken commenced the $33 million Tagai State College project on Mer Island (the home of Eddie Mabo, also known as Murray Island), a logistical challenge that involved complex transportation pre-planning, barging all materials to site and intensive community engagement.

The project was an enormous success and showcased the Cairns team’s abilities as a remote work specialist, adept at working in complex cultural and political contexts.

The thing I’m most proud of is the real commitment to local employment on Mer and Saibai in the Torres Strait, particularly as some of those communities are quite disadvantaged.

Greg Baumann, Queensland State Manager

On 9 May 2023 Hansen Yuncken celebrates a major milestone, marking 105 years since its founders, Lauritz Hansen and Otto Yuncken, signed a partnership agreement that would lay the groundwork for what has become one of Australia’s most respected construction firms.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of the many talented people who have helped to shape Hansen Yuncken into the company it is today, and we are grateful for their dedication and hard work.” – Peter Salveson, Chief Executive Officer

The 105th anniversary of Hansen Yuncken’s formation marks a major milestone for the company and serves as a testament to its enduring legacy of success, innovation, and commitment to building a better future for all Australians.

Foreman Bill Shields stands with clients and management on the site of the Cox Bros Department Store in Launceston, Tasmania. Initially employed as a carpenter, Bill was to become manager, then managing director of the Tasmanian business and a Director of Hansen & Yuncken.

Macquarie Correctional Centre is a maximum security prison required to be built ‘as quickly as possible’ in the central west of NSW to meet the short-term demand for prison beds.

The $180 million facility was handed over, fully commissioned in approximately 12 months.

The $243 million Adelaide Airport terminal, built in 2003–5, was another significant advance for Hansen Yuncken in its size and complexity.

After a series of inevitable delays due to the September 11 terrorist attacks and the collapse of Ansett Airlines, the complex building required an accelerated construction program and the coordination of many stakeholders, consultants, subcontractors and employees.

Its ultimate success had far-reaching consequences for the company, boosting its reputation nationwide and creating opportunities in other states.

After almost 30 years working on cannery projects in the region with offices at SPC, Hansen & Yuncken established their own branch office to take advantage of the maturing regional Victorian economy.

Established by a simple handshake on a Melbourne footpath between friends Lauritz Hansen and Otto Yuncken, 100 years later, Hansen Yuncken remains one of Australia’s premier construction companies.

“Three things have shaped Hansen Yuncken over the past century, and will continue to shape the company into the future – our people, our processes and the projects we deliver,” said Hansen Yuncken Chairman, David Beslich.

To celebrate 100 years of operations, Hansen Yuncken underwent a rebrand – introducing a bold new look, accompanied by a hardcover book capturing a century of milestones.

The future for Hansen Yuncken is one of growth and opportunity, at the forefront of change and innovation – driving new digital technologies and championing new construction methodologies to continually better the business for the next 100 years.

Hansen Yuncken appointed Managing Contractor for the first stage of Adelaide’s Lyell McEwin Hospital. An emerging procurement model, and a new kind of collaborative team structure was developed for the project, fostering strong team culture driven by project objectives rather than individual interests. Hansen Yuncken was further appointed the second and third stages of the hospital redevelopment.

‘Lyell McEwin Hospital was the first project delivered through the collaborative managing contractor method in South Australia. It was also unusual in that we were measured and incentivised to deliver on things other than normal time/cost/quality parameters.

This included striving for excellence in the level of local employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged people in the community, and on community relations – what local community thought of the project and how we worked with them.

It was an innovative delivery format at the time. The successful delivery of Stage A provided us with a strong platform to then secure both Stage B and Stage C of the hospital, resulting in a 15-year association with the facility. As a business, we took on the challenge and grew with it.’

— Greg Baumann, Project Manager, 2002–2005

Hansen & Yuncken purchased the first Favco 500 crane and put it to work on Communications House in William Street, Melbourne.

Special concrete formwork was developed to speed construction. AMP was an important client for Hansen & Yuncken in the 1960s, with contracts to build four buildings in three cities: two office towers in Melbourne, one in Adelaide and one in Hobart.
The Adelaide tower was the city’s tallest building at that time, and the challenging project won a gold medallion from the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations for the most Outstanding Construction Project completed in Australia during the 1960s, beating out the second stage of the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Arts Centre.

These two projects on adjacent sites in Hobart’s CBD, consisted of a five storey luxury office block with two levels of car parking and one level of plant, and a four storey office building for the ATO, which Hansen Yuncken won as part of a consortium.

The fixed lump sum contract for the Commonwealth Government Centre included the construction of three separate, reinforced concrete structures and the refurbishment of selected areas within an existing building and landscaping.

Otto Yuncken designed a movable suspended scaffold specifically for the domed ceiling at Melbourne’s State Library of Victoria.

Suspended 100 feet above the floor of the library’s dramatic reading room, the scaffold was the first of its kind and enabled Hansen & Yuncken to install a plaster ceiling under the glass roof of the dome. It was just one of the many innovations developed by the fledgling company.

Be sufficiently assertive to impress without being dictatorial. Take your foremen quite into your confidence and discuss everything freely. All your workmen as well. Let them feel that any suggestion from them is worthy of consideration.
— Otto Yuncken

Hansen Yuncken Cairns and Townsville offices were managing five projects for James Cook University, including the $24 million state of the art Cairns Institute.

‘At different times we’ve experimented with new materials and construction techniques. The Cairns Institute is a very architectural building and the team had to be very clever with how they prepared and installed materials to ensure the expected architectural standard was achieved.

Cairns has an annual average rainfall of 1992 millimetres, 154 rain days, and wind pressures in excess of 5 kPa in cyclones. It was vital to test and investigate all materials to ensure they could withstand the tropical environment.” — Greg Baumann, Queensland State Manager

Hansen Yuncken broke ground on PPP venture with the NSW government, the $248 million Orange Base Hospital, which incorporated design and construction, finance and maintenance.

The build included a new 250 bed hospital, a 60-bed acute mental health unit and a 40-bed secure mental health unit, as well as heritage refurbishment of the existing mental health and administration buildings.

As the dynamic project evolved, the building size increased by 20 per cent. Despite the remote regional site and changing scope, the project was completed ahead of schedule and to huge accolades from both the state and local area health officials.

Milestones, New South Wales, Regional, Health, Innovation, Technology, Safety

Hansen Yuncken was appointed to build a new, $185 million Flinders Medical Centre project, comprising a 55 bed rehabilitation centre with gyms and hydrotherapy pool, the relocation of palliative services, a new 1,780 space multi deck car park, a dedicated orthogeriatric service and a specialist 30 bed Older Persons Mental Health Unit.

“Health, Safety and Environment is an important ingredient in creating buildings and formed an important part of the client satisfaction chain on the Flinders Medical Centre project. The formula is not something that is written, printed or discussed at length in meetings. It’s the organic growth of a team-oriented approach that we pursue and foster in all our project personnel.” — Bobby West, HSE Supervisor

Hansen Yuncken joins an increasing network of industry leaders by committing to a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which was endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

The launch of the Reflect RAP was announced at the 2021 South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) Graduation, where Hansen Yuncken supports the Certificate II in Construction.

Hansen Yuncken began an association with the Adelaide Casino, using innovative building techniques to convert the historic Adelaide train station to the city’s premier entertainment complex.

With 900 workers on site to speed construction, the project was delivered under a fast track Design and Construct method. The design team remained on site throughout the construction period and at stages were documenting what had already been constructed.

Melbourne’s $32 million Alfred Hospital Main Ward Block was Hansen & Yuncken’s largest project to date and a precursor many later health projects.

A sandy site, high water table and excavation of 10 to 12 metres provided many challenges for the project team. A well point system was used to drain the site before narrow, deep trenches were excavated and filled with bentonite slurry.

Massive precast panels were craned into these trenches to build the basement walls before the major excavation work began.

Peter Salveson is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Hansen Yuncken. Peter draws on the knowledge and experience gained over more than 20 years with the company and more than 35 years in the industry.

Peter has a firm commitment to the people and culture of Hansen Yuncken, along with a focus on clients and continuing engagement to improve processes and efficiency. He also shares the company’s dedication to developing the wider industry through service with professional organisations.

You’ve got to have a great leader. You’ve got to have a terrific CEO. I think we’ve got one in Peter Salveson.’ — Ken Ramsey, Former Chief Financial Officer

Designed by DesignInc, the Bonacci Group, Lincolne Scott and the City of Melbourne, CH2 sought to provide council’s employees with a healthy, energy- efficient building with superior air quality, while providing an exemplar of advanced sustainable design to others. Hansen Yuncken entered into a partnership with the City of Melbourne and the design team, ensuring a collaborative approach to delivering this innovative and challenging project.

CH2 was challenging, with lots of industry firsts. It was right at the start of the Green Building Council’s Green Star rating system and many product specifications were untried and untested or difficult to source. We had a great project team led by Paul Bolton who worked collaboratively with the City of Melbourne to deliver a project that met the challenges this aspirational building was setting for the industry.

It included recycled concrete, black water treatment systems, wavy concrete ceilings and heavy timber window installation. The project set us up for working on environmental projects and we went on to deliver the first six-star Green Star building in Adelaide among many others. The knowledge that the company derived from CH2 was significant.

— Louise Hansen, Director/Business Development Manager

Peter Hansen became Managing Director, before appointment as Executive Chairman of Hansen Yuncken in 1999.

Hansen Yuncken secured the contracts for the $142 million Carrara Sports Precinct Project, incorporating a new state of the art indoor sports facility set to host badminton and wrestling events; and the $36 million Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, catering for netball and gymnastics in Games mode and a range of sports and community uses at other times.

Hansen Yuncken successfully completes $100 million Sydney Coliseum Theatre, with the project taking centre stage at Autodesk’s global conference, Autodesk University.

“What Hansen Yuncken has done is taken everything they know about the digital construction process, with 100 years of construction excellence, and applied this to the Sydney Coliseum Theatre. They are at the vanguard now of digital construction.” – Brett Casson, Senior Principal Major Projects at Autodesk

Taking a digital idea and turning it into something physical, the Sydney Coliseum Theatre project team has embraced digital technology and raised the bar of the traditional project delivery model. Driven by challenge and built with pride, the Theatre was handed over seven weeks ahead of program.

Louise Hansen was appointed Director of Hansen Yuncken- the first woman and the second fourth generation Hansen on the board.

Hansen Yuncken is appointed as Managing Contractor on the NSW Government’s program of works to replace flammable cladding for eligible class 2 residential apartment buildings.

With upwards of 250 individual projects expected to form part of this program of works, our in house information management system has been specifically designed to scale up and accommodate projects of this complexity.

The new office for the Insurance Office of Australia cost 34,500 pounds which easily surpassed the value and scale of all of Laurit’s previous projects. This building was subsequently replaced by a building for AMP which HY also built and has since been converted to apartments.

Ardmona Cannery project at Mooroopna commenced, followed by works at the Shepparton Preserving Company. Other works in the area necessitated the establishment of a branch office in 1925.

Hansen & Yuncken began work on Adelaide’s Education Building for the state government, the first design and construct consortium project for the company and the first major project to use this delivery method in South Australia.

Taking the lead role in the consortium, Hansen & Yuncken was responsible for coordinating the whole team. The role of the building contractor was expanding and Hansen & Yuncken was at the forefront.

With four contracts totaling $360 million for ING Real Estate, this was Hansen Yuncken’s largest project to date. The Hassell Architects designed development included residential apartments and townhouses and premium retail and commercial spaces that cover a 20 hectare site.

The 60,000m2 retail offering is split over two, open plan levels with interconnecting bridges and walkways.

The Australian Institute of Builders (AIB; later the Australian Institute of Building) was established. Its mission ‘to promote excellence in the construction of buildings and just and honourable practices in the conduct of business’. The professionalisation of the construction industry had begun.

The bicentennial project houses a tropical rainforest in its natural climactic environment, consisting of a three dimensional steel frame – 100m long, 47m wide and 27m high.

Erection of all 28 trusses, which carried 2092 glass panes and mechanical systems such as hydraulic spray pipes and hoisting apparatus to provide maintenance access, was achieved without a single breakage.

Within the structure, suspended walkways and viewing platforms allow visitors to look down into a natural setting more reminiscent of a tropical island than a garden in the southern state.

Hansen Yuncken took on the complex and challenging project of stabilising the fragile brick and stone perimeter walls of the iconic Port Arthur Penitentiary, one of Australia’s most recognisable convict sites.

Built in 1843 as a flour mill and granary, this World Heritage listed site was converted into a penitentiary in 1857, and today is Australia’s most intact 19th century penal settlement.

‘As managing contractor, Hansen Yuncken ensured that all subcontractors understood the significance and fragility of the place. They instilled a sense of ownership for all those working on site.

At all times, they communicated in the spirit of openness and transparency and ultimately in the interests of achieving the project goal of conserving this World Heritage listed place.’
— Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority

The $230 million University of South Australia (UniSA) Health Innovation Building (HIB) is a striking 14-storey structure, which sits on North Terrace.

The building requires an intense level of services, with mechanical services, extensive electrical requirements, medical gases, a host of medical research equipment, and building management systems and monitoring. Similar to a large hospital, HIB had complex and extensive services requirements, and its successful completion relied on meticulous coordination and management.

Hansen Yuncken successfully completes Her Majesty’s Theatre Redevelopment project. The expansion aimed to transform this crown jewel of Adelaide, to increase its size, capacity and improve accessibility.

Creating 150 construction jobs throughout delivery, the redevelopment has increased seating from 970 to 1467 patrons. Precise planning allowed retention of the delicate heritage facade, eastern wall and Signature Wall – a piece of history capturing signatures from the performing arts community over the years.

This showcases the passion for this project to be delivered at an exceptional standard, using skilled trades and a wonderful collaboration with Adelaide Festival Centre.

– Scott Brumfield, Construction Manager

Hansen Yuncken began work on the architecturally striking Museum of Old & New Art (MONA). Designed to showcase owner David Walsh’s $150 million collection of art, this landmark building was to be the largest privately owned museum in Australia.

The building was a remarkable feat, and is considered Australia’s best private gallery space. It has had a dramatic effect on Hobart’s culture and economy, and has shifted the city’s image of itself. It has also crystallised Hansen Yuncken’s reputation for building world-class exhibition spaces.

‘MONA is a career one-off for me and for my team. There’s an immense feeling of satisfaction to have been involved. It’s a very complex project. It’s very challenging as a construction project, not only in its contractual methodology but also in its construction techniques and the finishes and fitout required to achieve such an amazing building. It was almost a surreal experience to go through and see it being used in the manner in which it’s intended. A fantastic experience.’
— Bruce Maher, Former Tasmanian State Manager.

David Beslich appointed Chairman of Hansen Yuncken, with a renewed focus on technology and innovation to drive the future of the business.

‘Innovation is the champion of the 21st century. We are responding to new technologies, new considerations for a sustainable future, and the ever-present desire to find the new way, with new materials, new tools and new ways of thinking.

My vision for the future requires new skills and the ability to integrate smart technologies within traditional construction management processes.

It’s putting the old experienced heads with smart young graduates. It requires construction companies like Hansen Yuncken to continue to value the skills of experienced construction managers, and tech-savvy new graduates to understand the role they play together in championing innovation to fuel the construction industry of the future.’
— David Beslich, Executive Director/Chairman

The US stock market crash triggered the Great Depression, with devastating impacts around the world. Times were extremely tough, as people lost their jobs with little notice.

The significant Port of Melbourne Authority Building enabled the company to survive the early stages of the Depression. With new architectural features and technical innovations, it was an impressive project with many challenges to overcome – Otto and Lauritz were extremely proud of the final result.

Hansen Yuncken successfully delivered the world class Victorian Pride Centre. First of its kind in Australia, the project is an architectural marvel combining concrete, glass and timber to produce a warm, collaborative hub.

Navigating challenges of COVID-19, including public health restrictions and supply chain issues, the team expertly installed 720 glass panels and 17 glass fibre reinforced concrete panels to deliver this world class facility.

“We’re proud to have helped create such an important space for Melbourne’s LGBTIQ+ community. The delivery of this architecturally and culturally significant project exemplified our team’s expertise in construction and dedication to supporting communities.” – Richard Hansen, Victorian State Manager.

A fast track, fixed price construction contract, completed three months ahead of program despite redesign and documentation to major areas.

The $3.1 million steel canopies traversing the access road were constructed using structural steel components that were prefabricated and transported in the largest section available from a fabrication plant in Albury.

Following the successful completion of the Bank of NSW in Melbourne in 1929, Hansen & Yuncken was invited to tender for the bank’s Adelaide premises on the corner of Adelaide’s King William Street and North Terrace.

Hansen Yuncken’s Queensland head office was established in Brisbane to take advantage of growing opportunities in the southern part of the state.

Peter’s son Richard was appointed a director, and four years later, in June 2010, Peter Hansen retired as chairman.

I have seen really bad times and extraordinarily good times. I am passionate about making Hansen Yuncken the best company it can be. I am convinced that the best days are ahead.
— Richard Hansen, Director/Victorian State Manager

A 25 storey steel framed structure clad in a reconstructed stone curtain wall, incorporated many pioneering techniques.

The building was constructed in approximately 600 working days, using 3000 tonnes of structural steel 11,500 cubic metres of concrete and several hundred precast concrete cladding units and the largest single pane of glass ever installed in Australia at the time.

The Stock Exchange occupied the first, second and part of the third floors, including an 836m2 column free trading floor – the largest column free space built in Australia to that point.

The fourth floor was jacked up three millimetres to allow the removal of steelwork, following which the floor remained in situ – the first time such a system was used in the Southern Hemisphere.

Peter Hansen approached LW Giles, a successful Sydney based family builder led by Ron Beslich.

Hansen Yuncken (having recently dropped the ‘&’) expanded into the NSW market in partnership with LW Giles.

‘We shared a commitment to the industry, a very ethical approach to our businesses, and recognition and respect for our people. There was a common desire to put back into the business, and to enjoy the process of building.

At LW Giles we looked at the proposition and realised that there’s an opportunity here. We said, “Let’s be part of it”. There’s been no soul-searching about that.’

— Ron Beslich, Director/former Chairman”

This innovative cold store is part of Dutch group NewCold’s expansion into the Asia Pacific region. Designed for efficiency, the ‘dark facility’ is the first of its kind in Australia.

Featuring full automation, oxygen reducing fire safety technology and state of the art systems, it delivers a significant reduction in electricity consumption when compared with conventional cold storage warehouses.

In addition to the design and construction of the base building, Hansen Yuncken managed the process of integration and coordination between the building structure, general building services, and the complex specialist services and trades.

Hansen Yuncken constructed the $29 million K2 Apartments, a striking complex of 96 ESD social housing units in Windsor in Melbourne’s inner east.

The development was to set a new benchmark for environmental sustainable design in residential construction. Problem-solving was a vital part of the project, with several technical challenges that had to be overcome. Innovative construction techniques were developed by Hansen Yuncken in order to realise the architect’s vision. Several related to safety on site.

The design called for pre-glazed aluminium-clad timber windows and doors. The largest of these units weighed more than 300 kilograms, and 96 had to be installed. To complicate matters, the units could not be installed from within the apartments, and each installation location could not be accessed directly due to overhanging stacked balconies. This called for clever thinking to minimise or eliminate manual lifting and shifting, while maintaining on-site productivity.

— George Mihos, Contracts Manager

Beginning in 2013, Hansen Yuncken started works on this very complex project to upgrade the existing hospital that needed to remain in operation 24 hours a day.

The project involved working on an operating hospital campus while undertaking the partial demolition of buildings situated between two central nine-level tower blocks and a ring of lower buildings for the construction of a new five-level, fully integrated hospital and future-proofed floors.

It required meticulous planning, constant client liaison and extensive coordination. It was clear from the outset that the project was going to be challenging, but when hazardous materials and asbestos were identified after the project began, it became even more so. The project team had to very quickly come up with a plan for managing safety on site in an efficient and effective manner.

Following a decade of involvement on this complex, multi staged project, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital redevelopment was successfully completed in 2023.

Hansen Yuncken was appointed to construct AMP’s headquarters on Adelaide’s King William Street. Continuing to pioneer new construction methods, particularly on the Communications House in Melbourne, where it deployed two newly purchased Favco tower cranes.

With the ability to extend themselves upwards as required, the cranes were particularly useful on tight city sites with limited ground space, where they offered many advantages over the older stiff legged type.

These two projects also boasted the company’s first passenger hoists on multi storey construction sites and new concrete pumps.