Homemaker Centre Lake Haven Design & Construct HVAC
A design and construct HVAC project that converted a former Bunnings site into seven tenancies, cutting system capacity by 25% through smarter roofing and meeting strict Council noise limits.
Central Coast retail HVAC design
Metro Diverse Property purchased a former Bunnings site at Lake Haven with plans to subdivide the building into seven separate tenancies, ranging from general retail outlets to a 24-hour gym. Axis Align was engaged to design and construct the mechanical HVAC system for the new Homemaker Centre.
Challenges Addressed
• Limited available power: There was not enough electrical capacity on site to support a conventionally sized HVAC system.
• Council noise limits: The planning approval set noise levels that the mechanical plant had to meet at the property boundary.
• Different tenancy needs: Seven tenancies, including a gym that operates around the clock, each needed their own comfort control.
• A tight program: The centre needed to be ready for tenants quickly.
Project Scope
To reduce the size of the equipment needed, we worked with our mechanical engineer and a roofing specialist to find a roofing product with exceptional insulating properties. The final roof design allowed our engineer to reduce the overall system capacity by 25%, which meant smaller systems drawing less electrical load. The scope then included:
Packaged air conditioning: Supply, engineered design and installation of 14 packaged air conditioning systems.
Return air fans and economy cycle: 14 return air fans working with each system's economy cycle to allow free cooling in the winter months and cut energy use.
Ductwork: Extensive internal duct systems to distribute airflow through each tenancy.
Controls: Each system controlled through Distech network controllers and tenancy touch screens, with a remote graphical interface showing live temperature and energy data.
Acoustic verification: Once the job was complete, we engaged an acoustic engineer to take boundary readings and confirm the plant met the levels set in the development approval.
Our Holistic-Solution Methodology
Rather than sizing equipment to the building as it stood, we looked at how the building itself could reduce the load. Our approach ensured:
End-to-End Delivery: Design, engineering, installation, controls and acoustic sign-off handled by one team.
Collaborative Engineering: Working with a roofing specialist to solve a power problem through better insulation.
Optimal Energy Efficiency: Smaller plant, economy cycle free cooling and live energy monitoring for each tenancy.
Client Impact
25% Less System Capacity: An insulated roof design that let us specify smaller equipment.
Lower Electrical Load: Plant sized to work within the site's available power.
Noise Compliance Confirmed: Boundary readings taken by an acoustic engineer to check against the development approval.
Tenant-Level Control: Touch screens and remote access to live temperature and energy data.
Fast Delivery: The entire project was completed in under six months.
Why Axis Align
This project reflects our brand pillars:
Customer-Centric Care: A design shaped around the developer's tenancy plan and approval conditions.
Holistic-Solution Methodology: Building fabric, HVAC and controls considered together.
Optimal Energy Efficiency: Reduced capacity, free cooling and energy data built in from day one.
Proactive not Reactive: Noise compliance verified on completion rather than left to chance.
Need a bespoke residential HVAC solution?
While our focus is large-scale commercial work, we occasionally take on unique residential or specialty builds that demand the same engineering rigour. Talk to us about your custom project.
