HY Insights - Hansen Yuncken

As one of Australia’s most respected privately-owned builders, 2018 will be a year of celebration and recognition

Over the past century, the construction industry has ridden a tidal wave of change with the competitive need to be more efficient. Hansen Yuncken has continued to innovate, adapt and respond to changing conditions even at the mercy of fickle economic conditions at home and abroad.

There have been highs and lows, booms and near-busts, times of enormous challenge and exhilarating achievement. In all of this, the only constant has been change, but the cultural heritage of the company has been a remarkably steady one.

The 9^th May 2018 marks 100 years since founders Lauritz Hansen and Otto Yuncken signed a three-paragraph partnership agreement to create what is now one of the most successful businesses in the construction industry.

Today, Hansen Yuncken is one of the largest privately owned commercial building contractors in Australia having delivered over 5000 projects valued at approximately $100b in today’s dollars.

As we embark on our next century of building, the demographic and technological changes already underway will bring new types of clients, with new requirements, different demands and fresh opportunities. At the same time, established client groups are working in reconfigured relationships, leading to changing procurement models and new construction frameworks.

Our company is responding fast by developing innovative construction and delivery approaches, and holds a deep commitment to strong collaboration, direct and honest communication and the drive to exceed client expectations.

Across all aspects of our business we strive to build excellent relationships with clients of all sizes, combined with innovative delivery models, this will ensure that Hansen Yuncken will be able to produce outstanding buildings for our clients for generations to come.

As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we take pride in our past and look forward to the opportunities that the future will bring.

Peter Salveson
Chief Executive Officer

How the lead innovators in construction can benefit from the network effects of enterprise platforms

Over the past two decades, the construction industry has benefited from the rapid increases in computing power that were anticipated more than fifty years ago and gave rise to the concept of Moore’s Law.

Today, UTS (University of Technology Sydney) in collaboration with Hansen Yuncken is demonstrating how lead innovators in general contracting can benefit from the network effects of enterprise platforms. In 2013, a partnership blossomed between Hansen Yuncken and the UTS. A common interest in the use of digital construction data sparked numerous opportunities … fast forward 5 years and UTS researchers have undertaken a series of research projects that seek to understand the opportunities enabled by new information management technologies including Hansen Yuncken’s innovative and industry leading enterprise platform development, HYway.

For tech-savvy construction contractors, data collection either occurs automatically through embedded sensors and small consumer devices such as smartphones – or in a semi-automated way via standardised workflows and structured process roadmaps. Analytical sophistication ranges from simple comparisons to the use of complex models involving many relationships and elements of data. Because of these rapidly evolving capabilities in computing, it is not surprising that main contractors are seeking new ways to leverage the vast amounts of data generated on projects, across programs of projects, and throughout their organisations’ functional business units.

Hansen Yuncken’s development and deployment of its bespoke integration platform, HYway, takes an integrated approach to the flow of digital information and its utilisation in the delivery of construction project and business intelligence. As an exemplar of the rapid innovation that is changing the way contractors do business, over 5 years, HYway has rapidly transformed our approach to construction services and corporate decision making.

One of the key achievements of HYway surrounds the integration of data with standardised project, program, and corporate processes, which were first mapped and optimised prior to implementation. Taken together, this process-oriented approach to enterprise information management drives change and consistency across the enterprise - informing decisions in real time, harnessing project information captured at the source, utilising data derived from BIM models, and reporting across all levels of the business using sophisticated analytics and user-friendly role-specific dashboards for visualisations.

By providing access to live, relevant and contextual data for the management of projects, regional programs and the business as a whole, HYway is capable of helping designers, managers, and senior executives select the best solutions and make more informed business decisions.

As technology advances, HYway’s integration platform is playing a key role in our approach to deliver intelligent construction services. HYway advances the management of safety and environmental performance using proactive data-driven workflows; it also facilitates more effective online management of project related data pertaining to time, cost and quality performance criteria. The digitisation of buildings requires the systematic handling of large volumes of data. Structured data captured and generated via BIM applications are connected with construction management data to help inform project performance.

HYway’s flexible systems architecture allows the business to adopt innovative, best-of-breed technologies to support project and organisational functions. Its alignment with the broader business strategy has resulted in leaner, consistent and more transparent corporate processes. It informs decision making at the project coalface and in the boardroom, creating positive impacts on not only the triple bottom line but also on organisational change, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and increasing the efficiency of work processes.

The more data collated via HYway, the more “intelligent” it becomes. As a research study shows, it is the people at Hansen Yuncken who are adding value through HYway. The lion’s share of this value can only be realised via HYway’s ability to support consistent data and information management across all aspects of business. In this way, HYway ensures that the value of its people and processes continues to flow to each level of the organisation.

UTS’ research into the adoption and use of HYway is revealing new insights into the technology’s network effects and how this is accelerating Hansen Yuncken’s reputation as a leading construction innovator.

Click here to read the full article published in the “Building Economist Sept 2017”
Author: Julie Jupp, Associate Professor Digital Design and Construction School of Built Environment Faculty of Design Architecture and Built Environment at UTS.

Bigger trains for a better Melbourne

Forming part of the $2.3b High Capacity Trains Project PPP, Hansen Yuncken is constructing 25,000m2 of buildings to house Victoria’s brand new fleet of high capacity metro trains. The project will deliver the largest extension to the rail system in Melbourne in over 50 years, and consist of integrated testing, maintenance, bio-washing and other specialist buildings.

Awarded the Managing Contract in mid-2017, works include the delivery of buildings, integrated services and fit-out as well as significant coordination and integration with specialist contractors involved with the rail infrastructure delivery.

Working in and amongst Downer’s civil and rail installation works, complexity lies in the integrated work sequencing and site safety management as well as access co-ordination. This is managed through proactive communication with all stakeholders to ensure maximum efficiency and alignment with project program.

Spanning the size of 67 Olympic swimming pools, the various buildings will provide ancillary support for the upkeep, maintenance and operation of the 65 trains. Each train measuring 160m long and catering for up to 1,100 passengers. As the busiest line on the network, the Cranbourne-Pakenham line along with this project will increase the capacity on the line into the future and deliver the State of Victoria’s objective of delivering a world-class public transport network.

Hansen Yuncken is on track to deliver this exciting project to Downer and the State of Victoria by late 2018 and proud to be contributing to the future growth of Victoria.

Click here for more information about the High Capacity Trains Project

Grand Old Dame of Grote Street to undergo a $66m redevelopment

Work has commenced on the $66m redevelopment of Her Majesty’s Theatre on Grote Street in Adelaide. Designed by Cox Architecture, the major revamp includes a new wing featuring three levels of bars, along with entertainment and exhibition spaces.

Originally opening in 1913, the theatre’s existing 970-seat capacity will be expanded with a 1,472-seat auditorium spread over three levels. The revamp will also include rejuvenated foyers and a spacious backstage area.

Hansen Yuncken is tasked with carrying out the complex project with key heritage features needing to be maintained throughout the deconstruction and redevelopment.

Work commenced on the 5th April with completion of the Theatre expected in 2020.

Watch ABC’s story of Her Majesty’s Theatre before the facelift began https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi2G8v-76xY

The completion of Adelaide’s finest Cancer Research Centre is the final piece of the puzzle for Australia’s world class Biomed City

University of South Australia will soon place Adelaide on the map as Australia’s largest Biomed City comes to life. Located adjacent to Adelaide University’s Health and Medical Sciences Building, the South Australian Health Medical Research Institute and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the BioMed City combines research, education, clinical care and business development into the largest life science cluster in the southern hemisphere.

Opening its doors to the public in May 2018, the $250m Cancer Research Institute houses the Centre for Cancer Biology which brings up to 250 of Australia’s top cancer and health researchers to SA in addition to other innovative, multidisciplinary research laboratories including the University’s School of Pharmacy. The Museum of Discovery will be a scientific playground that will transform the public’s perception of science, technology and innovation by offering immersive experiences within dynamic, changing exhibition programmes.

Designed by Swanbury Penglase and BVN, this iconic building showcases an array of design features unique to the education sector. Contemporary architectural features include timber ceilings, barestone cladding, exposed aggregated flooring as well as antique brass door frames, thresholds and door finishes. Taking centre stage are seven floating interior staircases that offer an aesthetic feature in each of the building's atriums.

With complex services and functional design integration similar to a major healthcare facility, advanced construction and planning techniques drove the project from concept to completion. A collaborative “HUB” brought stakeholders into one common work space, creating a cohesive and transparent work environment where conversations were had and decisions made.

Delivered on time, on budget and safely, the completion of the Cancer Research Institute cements a long-standing relationship with the University of South Australia and is certainly another project to be proud of.

The journey of the UniSA Project has been captured through time-lapse, visit our Youtube channel to see more.

State-of-the art aged care facility adds another achievement to Hansen Yuncken’s portfolio

Scalabrini Village, a leading residential aged care provider, awarded the construction of the facility to Hansen Yuncken in May 2015. This challenging development incorporated design and care principles that will support and enrich the lives of those living with dementia or a complex care need.

In this state-of-the-art village the residents are provided with a classic, Italian-style environment which features a piazza, surrounding gardens, casual eateries with alfresco-style seating, exercise common areas, retail shops and a chapel. These unique aspects provide innovative spatial areas and sensory experiences with therapeutic intent, contributing towards the important goal of improving the livelihoods of residents, families and staff.

Built over 5 levels, the village is made up of 9 households, known as Casa’s, each accommodating 6-18 private rooms. All bedrooms come with a private en-suite and offer striking views of the village garden and grounds, with some rooms benefiting from a balcony and magnificent views of the Parramatta River. Each household contain a fully equipped kitchen, cosy lounge and two dining rooms with generous social spaces for the residents and their visitors.

Considering the highly complex needs of the future occupants, the project team has successfully constructed one of Australia’s most advanced, technology-enabled residential aged care facilities for people living with dementia. Specific and unique products were employed, such as Readywall formwork system for basement walls, Elsi sensor flooring, Dali lighting with circadian rhythm programming, HLS Patient lifters and Patient tracking technology. The complex also offers a specialist wellness centre with expert physiotherapists and health professionals on hand.

Throughout the two-year project journey, the project team managed an 11month ECI period, early works construction management services and main works, as well as the demolition of the Old Drummoyne Boys High School, including HAZMAT remediation and retention of existing façade elements.

A strong relationship was vital to the success of this project. The team effectively managed open communication and transparency between all parties including multiple neighbouring properties with highly sensitive requirements. In addition, the project team worked closely with Scalabrini Villages in planning, programming and delivering the facility in accordance with their defined “Key Project Success Factors.”

The project, which reached completion on Friday 16th March, was awarded the Best Aged Care Facility at the annual Australian Healthcare Week Excellence Awards.

Visit our Residential and Senior Living Portfolio

Drones are changing the way the industry operates and it’s a far cry from simple photography

The presence of drones in construction means significant changes within the industry. Drones have begun changing the way the construction industry operates and it’s a far cry from simple photography requirements. Hansen Yuncken embarked on the drone journey back in 2015 utilising the robotics firstly for “never before seen” aerial imagery, however it wasn’t long before the full potential was realised.

Our teams across the country are recognising the benefits of using drone data as a convenient and affordable way to improve their estimating, design, construction and safety processes.

Although not appropriate for all projects and locations, having a full birds eye view of a construction site at every stage is becoming more critical for running an efficient construction operation.

Drone technology is helping to empower our onsite teams to capture and generate data, track project progress against design, measure volumes, distances, grades and heights at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional ground surveys. In addition, drones are being used to enhance the safety of our sites.

Combining drone data with an array of integrated management systems including BIM360 and our enterprise system, HYway, our teams are able to analyse the status of the project in real time and access information at their fingertips.

Whether its technology, or a more efficient approach to construction, Hansen Yuncken is at the forefront of change.

Reaching for the skies at the QUT Kelvin Grove campus as the $56m iconic Education Precinct Building sets the foundations for the future

With the structure now boasting stunning 360 degree views of the CBD skyline and overlooking the beautiful Victoria Park Golf Club, the project milestone was marked with a "Topping Out" ceremony on Friday 9th March. Fortunately, after a bout of untimely wet weather, the clouds parted and the team were blessed with a delightful sunny afternoon as the rooftop celebrations began.

The QUT project team were joined by representatives from the design and construction teams as well as many QUT delegates. The team were honoured to welcome Professor Margaret Sheil, The Vice Chancellor of QUT, not only to take in the magnificent views but also show her support of this impressive landmark project.

The event celebrated the safe completion of the building to date and recognised the significant amount of work undertaken to construct the building to this point. Already we’re seeing the shapes, forms and features of the finished building rapidly appearing, as well as working spaces develop. Project Manager Gerard Harris and Qld State Manager Greg Baumann addressed the crowd, recapping on the importance of this state-of-the-art development, highlighting the achievements to date and touching on the exciting progress still to come.

With a distant city silhouette and gentle breeze, a meet and greet concluded with the humble ‘tradie barbie’ cooked by the undercover site team chefs.

For Hansen Yuncken, it is an honour to be associated with QUT and what is sure to be one of Queensland’s most prestigious educational developments.

READ MORE about the QUT project

Helping to drive a digitalised future for construction

Investing into future generations of constructors, Hansen Yuncken is proud to have such a successful cadet program in place. As the construction industry continues to transform, Hansen Yuncken sees the potential to attract and train the best of tomorrow’s construction professionals to make a difference.

Our cadets are given the opportunity to gain experience across all construction disciplines covering estimating and pre-construction, engineering and contracts admin. Giving our cadets hands on experience equips them with the technical knowledge, tools, involvement and leadership skills that will help to shape their careers.

One key focus of the undergraduate program is training our cadets in the latest field technology. Training is delivered through a blend of on the job training, scheduled internal training programs, and external training providers. This training is on various Virtual Design and Construction technologies like Revit, Navisworks, BIM 360 Glue, Asta and BIM.

Ben Hilder a NSW cadet believes the training provides significant benefits on multiple fronts. The increased capabilities in BIM have provided benefits on a personal level through enhanced efficiencies and accuracies in everyday tasks, consequently producing benefits on a project level seen through improved project deliverables and ultimately outcomes. Whilst working on the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment, Ben could quickly comprehend construction staging and the building makeup enabled by 3D and 4D models. Being able to identify changes in materials and their quantities, typical of a D&C, was also able to be automised; enabling increased accuracy and efficiency of required comparisons.

With the growth in BIM and Digital Models being developed by our consultants and subcontractors, it is important for our teams to have the skillsets to be able to interrogate and analyse for constructability and coordination in the delivery of our projects.

To find out more about our national cadet program visit our Careers Page

The University of Newcastle’s (UON) flagship City campus has taken out the top prize at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2018 Newcastle Architecture Awards

UON’s NeW Space, designed in collaboration with Melbourne-based Lyons and the Hunter’s EJE Architecture, and constructed by Hansen Yuncken, received the top Newcastle Jury Prize as well as three further awards for Educational Architecture, Interior Architecture and Urban Design.

Completed in 2017, NeW Space is a $95m landmark education precinct in the heart of Newcastle's CBD, harnessing the latest in technology and innovation in teaching and learning to deliver a world-class student experience.

Learn more about how this unique and creative design came to life https://youtu.be/bLMPJA7UQIc

As one of Australia’s most respected privately-owned builders, 2018 will be a year of celebration and recognition

How the lead innovators in construction can benefit from the network effects of enterprise platforms

Bigger trains for a better Melbourne

Grand Old Dame of Grote Street to undergo a $66m redevelopment

The completion of Adelaide’s finest Cancer Research Centre is the final piece of the puzzle for Australia’s world class Biomed City

State-of-the art aged care facility adds another achievement to Hansen Yuncken’s portfolio

Drones are changing the way the industry operates and it’s a far cry from simple photography

Reaching for the skies at the QUT Kelvin Grove campus as the $56m iconic Education Precinct Building sets the foundations for the future

Helping to drive a digitalised future for construction

The University of Newcastle’s (UON) flagship City campus has taken out the top prize at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2018 Newcastle Architecture Awards

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