Sustainability

What we do as engineers has a tangible impact on supporting a sustainable future and endorsing the transition to net zero carbon emissions. At CRC, we recognise the pivotal role that engineering plays in shaping a sustainable future. Our commitment to sustainability goes above and beyond – it’s ingrained in every facet of our operations. We are proudly taking initiative in shaping the future by being active MECLA members.

In the presence of a climate emergency arises rapidly changing expectations, and the need for innovative and collaborative design has never been so significant. At CRC, we firmly believe that engineering is more than just designing structures; it’s about actively shaping the future of our built environment and enhancing awareness and understanding of the pathways towards sustainable design. We offer consulting services from project inception to assist clients in reaching their sustainable goals by providing insight and expertise within the framework of sustainable development.

our approach

We know that environmental sustainability isn't simply a box that you can check. It requires an astute plan. Because of this, our strategies and goals are split up to allow us to create a more sustainable future for the built environment and for our business.

philosophy

The things we keep front of mind to make more sustainable choices.

design strategies

The strategies we use and decisions we make for more sustainable outcomes.

future planning

How we intend to build a more sustainable future.

build less, lean design

Lean design is something we are very proud of endorsing at CRC. We have adopted the mantra of ‘build less, lean design’ because we understand the adverse effects that overdesign has on not only the project’s emission profile, but also on the project’s cost. Lean design is smart design. We are designing members to be as close to maximum acceptable utilization, which results in lighter structures, less material, and lower embodied carbon. The adoption of sustainable solutions, particularly at an industrial scale, significantly reduces the environmental footprint of a project, without compromising on quality or functionality. Building nothing is not doing nothing. Speak to us about assessing your existing building or adaptively re-using it.

the role of the engineer

Within the field of engineering, there is potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions associated with a building’s whole life carbon. We believe the key to unlocking these emission reductions begins with a conversation in the preliminary design phase, outlining the sustainable goals and feasible outcomes of a project. Engineers hold the capacity to encourage these conversations, but the benefits of innovative engineering solutions can only be achieved if the effort is adopted across the entire operation, or better yet, the entire industry. With emerging technologies and evolving industry-wide strategies, organisations should be working collaboratively to combat the issues of the climate emergency, rather than retaining information as a competitive strategy. At CRC, we want to harness the benefits that come with these collaborations and empower engineers to take more informed risks.

Design Strategies

Adaptive Reuse

At CRC, we recognise the significant emission savings that comes with the adoption of end-of-design-life strategies which focus on reducing waste from on-site demolition and extend the design life of existing buildings. As an industry we should be adopting new language, such as “second useful life” and “material circularity”, and endorsing our mantra of ‘Build Less, Lean Design’. Building adaptability offers new challenges to engineers and involves the re-shaping of outdated engineering practises and focusing on new and emerging practises. Here at CRC, we are ready to adopt these changes and start the journey towards our sustainable future.

Low-Emission concrete

The building and construction sector makes up 37% of the total global CO2 emission profile. Within that sector, out of all construction materials, concrete and steel are the greatest contributors. Unfortunately, concrete and steel also make up majority of the warehouse superstructure. Therein lies an urgent need to focus on implementing low-emission materials.

At CRC, we have completed research and testing on the design of warehouse floors, developing concrete mix designs with cement replacement of up to 40%. These reductions equate to considerable embodied carbon savings in a cost-neutral way, particularly when implemented at an industrial scale.

Low-Emission steel

Production of low-emission steel is a complicated area of expertise and relies on economic investment into new and emerging steel-making technologies, such as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF). When compared to traditional steelmaking techniques, these technologies can produce steel with a much lower carbon factor. However, Australia is behind the mark in this industry and clients are now looking to import steel from overseas markets. This imported steel has a lower carbon factor, even once transport emissions have been added. Get in touch to chat with an engineer about the steel requirements of your project.

Flood Modelling

By using advanced computational models, CRC engineers simulate the behaviour of water flow under various weather conditions to identify flood-prone areas, assess potential damage, and develop effective flood mitigation strategies.

Working with natural flood management strategies, flood modelling enhances resilience to flooding and climate change by working with natural processes to slow down and absorb floodwaters, reducing the reliance on hard infrastructure. By using flood modelling techniques, our civil engineers can develop more sustainable and adaptable flood protection systems that are better suited to the challenges of a changing climate.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) integrates the management of the water cycle into urban development to promote sustainable and resilient communities. By incorporating natural water management processes like stormwater harvesting, rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs, WSUD reduces the impact of urbanisation on the natural water cycle. This approach not only minimises flood risks and erosion but also improves water quality by filtering pollutants before they enter waterways. CRC engineers use WSUD principles in their civil planning with the intention to create greener cities that are more resource-efficient and adaptive to climate change.

FUTURE PLANNING

adaptive reuse

We have worked on projects alongside industry professionals, adopting adaptive re-use strategies, and material repair and reuse, to significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions. We believe that in designing buildings with end-of–life strategies in mind, the materials in existing infrastructure could be used as building stock for future developments. However, to address the climate emergency there must be an industry-wide acceptance of adaptive reuse techniques and larger emphasis placed on building reuse, recycle and repair.

BIM Modelling

CRC is always at the forefront of engineering technology and was among the first engineering firms in Australia to make the transition from CAD to the more sophisticated BIM environment. However, as the industry and technology evolve, we need to continue to learn and adapt. BIM technology can assist in the assessment of both operational and embodied carbon of a project and help identify improvements in our design. BIM can be used to assess the feasibility of renewable energy systems and select construction materials with lower environmental impacts. These are features which should be utilised more freely in the future of design.

We are proud MECLA members

HOW DOES IT WORKS?

Our teams are experienced and proven in the full range of Civil Engineering fields including Site infrastructure design and planning, Earthworks design, Pavements design, Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), Stormwater drainage design and analysis, Road and siteworks design, Utilities coordination and relocation and more across Australia.

Featured Projects

Commercial

Elara Village, Marsden Park

Multi-Level

Ascent on Bourke, Alexandria

Industrial

Southend Distribution Centre, Alexandria

What is BIM For ?

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Australia, Chile, and Argentina are the top three countries with the largest lithium deposits. In fact, Australia is the world’s largest producer of lithium, accounting for nearly one third of global production. As a result, lithium shares have become increasingly popular with lithium stock Australia investors.

Are there other ways to adopt beside Bim?

Find out about our job offers into a life-long career in engineering and consulting. This page provides information about our graduate, placement and internship opportunities as well. Find out about our job offers into a life-long career in engineering and consulting. This page provides information about our graduate, placement and internship opportunities as well.

Are there other ways to adopt beside Bim?