Orion Mechanical delivered sustainable HVAC systems for Surry Hills Village, setting new benchmarks in energy efficiency and innovation

Orion Mechanical

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Orion Mechanical Services has successfully completed a comprehensive mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems installation at Surry Hills Village. Orion’s work has elevated the precinct’s residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces with cutting-edge climate control solutions, setting new benchmarks for comfort, control and energy efficiency.

“Our involvement spanned from design finalisation to supply and installation of all mechanical ventilation and AC systems across this multi-faceted project,” shared Justin Phillips, Managing Director of Orion Mechanical Services.

The scope encompassed two levels of basement car parks, four residential buildings with 128 apartments, a luxury 103-room hotel with lobby and pool bars, and a 6-level commercial building with an event space. Additionally, Orion provided provisional base building mechanical services for all retail tenancies including COLES, plus complete HVAC fitout for prominent names such as Harris Farm Markets, Blooms the Chemist, Raita Noda Omakase and
Olympus Dining.

Orion employed a mix of independent air cooled and water cooled systems to address the diverse needs of the precinct. Each residential apartment is served by its own independent Fujitsu air cooled VRV AC system with remote condensers placed on the roof for premium amenity & silent operation. Meanwhile, the hotel, commercial, and retail spaces benefit from a shared central condenser water system supported by rooftop cooling towers and gas condensing boilers. A BMS monitors all thermal and electrical energy meters easily accessed by the Building Managers via the site wide ICN.

“The project’s complexity demanded thoughtful engineering and flexibility for future uncertainty,” Justin explained.
“For the commercial and hotel areas, we chose Mitsubishi Electric Water-Cooled Heat Recovery VRF systems, which are also featured in some of the larger retail spaces like Harris Farm and Olympus. These system’s robust design and adaptability make it a premium choice for larger tenancies with multiple thermal zones.”

One standout feature is the central condenser water system which consists of three closed circuit secondary side systems, serving each main stratum, each thermally connected via dual plate heat exchangers to the common open circuit primary.

This system not only supports the precinct’s HVAC needs but also shares heat between circuits, including delivering free heat to the domestic hot water plant in the commercial building via water-cooled heat pumps. Orion worked closely with TOGA to ensure all water-cooled plant & equipment are housed internally within the building, thus maximising the lifecycle longevity and efficiency of the central plant. The only external plant are the cooling towers, stainless steel pipework
and boilers.

At peak, Orion deployed 12 direct employees and engaged five subcontractors, with a maximum workforce of 25 on-site daily. “Through a collaborative design review process with stakeholders, we ensured the chosen systems were not only efficient but also aligned with the project’s architectural and sustainability goals,” noted Orion’s full time site based Project Manager, Mr Sajid Safadi.

Surry Hills Village reflects Orion’s commitment to quality and innovation. From initial engagement in December 2021 to the completion of base building works in October 2024, the company has consistently prioritised simplicity, longevity, and performance. Even as tenancy fit-out works continue, the impact of Orion’s contributions is evident across the precinct.

“This is one of the largest and most complex projects we’ve worked on,” Justin stated. “The integration of sustainable systems and meticulous attention to detail exemplifies our approach to delivering exceptional results.”

Orion Mechanical Services is proud to have been a part of this transformative project, enhancing the functionality and sustainability of Surry Hills Village. With a reputation for excellence in mechanical solutions, the company continues to set industry benchmarks across a diverse portfolio
of projects.

For more information, contact Orion Mechanical Services, phone 0414 877 516, email info@orionmechanical.com.au, website www.orionmechanical.com.au