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Delivering Controlled Environments for Cultural Assets

McCluskey Heating & Cooling delivered HVAC and humidification systems ensuring precise gallery climate control and preservation.

McCluskey Heating & Cooling

Delivering a stable and controlled internal environment is critical in any gallery setting, where fluctuations in temperature and humidity can directly impact the preservation of artworks.

At the Art Gallery of Swan Hill redevelopment, McCluskey Heating & Cooling was engaged to deliver a mechanical services solution capable of meeting these requirements.

With over 13 years in operation and a dedicated team of 12, McCluskey Heating & Cooling specialises in commercial and residential heating, cooling and mechanical ventilation systems, including ducted air conditioning, VRF systems and energy-efficient climate control solutions. “Our team delivered the full mechanical scope, ensuring the gallery spaces achieved the level of environmental control required for artwork preservation,” said Director Luke McCluskey.

A key challenge of the project was meeting the strict environmental requirements necessary for a gallery environment. Beyond temperature control, maintaining consistent humidity levels was essential to protect sensitive artworks from deterioration. “We incorporated humidification systems and worked closely with the design team to ensure stable environmental conditions were maintained,” Luke explained.

Achieving this level of precision required close coordination with project stakeholders and a detailed commissioning process to fine-tune system performance. “This wasn’t just about installing systems—it was about ensuring everything worked together seamlessly to achieve the required performance,” Luke said.

The result is a carefully controlled internal environment that supports the gallery’s expanded exhibition capabilities while safeguarding its collection.

McCluskey Heating & Cooling’s contribution highlights the critical role of mechanical services in cultural infrastructure, where performance, reliability and precision are essential.

For more information contact McCluskey Heating & Cooling, 8 Mcharry Place, Shepparton VIC 3630, phone 0434 447 454, email office@mccluskeyheatingandcooling.com.au, website www.mccluskeyheatingandcooling.com.au



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Engineering Stability in Unpredictable Ground Conditions

Solidity delivered integrated helical pile foundations at Swan Hill Art Gallery, overcoming variable ground conditions reliably.

Solidity

Solidity delivers integrated helical pile foundation solutions through a fully controlled design, manufacture, and installation model, providing certainty in variable and constrained ground conditions.

At the Art Gallery of Swan Hill, Solidity designed, manufactured, and installed a foundation system capable of responding to the sites significant subsurface variability, including uncontrolled fill and buried obstructions, revealed during the sites early geotechnical investigations.

“We were dealing with uncontrolled fill and variable ground conditions, so traditional shallow foundations weren’t suitable,” explained Engineering Manager, Atbin Soleiman. “Our solution was to design and install helical piles that bypassed those layers and anchored into stable founding material.”

The scope included the installation of 177 screw piles for the gallery redevelopment. “Even with challenges like buried concrete and the need for pre-drilling in certain areas, we were able to stage the works and complete the installation within the tight program,” Atbin said.

The team also navigated site constraints including existing structures and heritage considerations, requiring careful coordination and sequencing. “We had to work around existing elements on site while maintaining access for other trades, which meant staging the installation in multiple sections,” he added.

Beyond project delivery, Solidity’s strength lies in its vertically integrated model. “Solidity is a specialist manufacturer of helical piles and foundation solutions. We design, manufacture and install our systems using Australian steel, which gives us full control over quality and delivery,” As National Business Development Manager David McDonald explains,

This approach enables faster installation and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional methods. “Our system is significantly faster than conventional concrete piling and can offer cost efficiencies while maintaining performance,” McDonald said.

With a 50-year design life and minimal site disruption, Solidity’s work at Swan Hill ensures the gallery redevelopment is built on a foundation engineered for longevity and performance.

For more information contact Solidity, phone 03 8402 0189, email info@solidity.com.au, website www.solidity.com.au



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Cultural Narrative in Landscape Construction and Public Space Delivery

AH Landscaping delivered culturally responsive landscape construction at Swan Hill Art Gallery, integrating design, place, and function.

AH Landscaping

At the Art Gallery of Swan Hill redevelopment, AH Landscaping delivered a fully integrated and culturally responsive landscape package that extends beyond site finishing, positioning external works as a coordinated extension of architectural intent, cultural context, and environmental performance.

Led by Director Alex Hall, the team was engaged to deliver the full external scope, requiring alignment between civil interfaces, irrigation systems, hardscape construction, and planting design within a live, multi-trade construction environment.

“Our scope included everything from site preparation and planting through to paving, yarning circles, street furniture and a full irrigation system,” said Alex. “The goal was to create a landscape that feels connected to the gallery and its riverfront setting.”

Central to the design was a strong emphasis on place. Materials and plant selections were carefully chosen to reflect the natural environment, while the layout encourages movement, interaction, and a seamless transition between built and open spaces. The inclusion of yarning circles further reinforces the site’s cultural and community connection, offering spaces for gathering and reflection.

Sustainability also played a key role in delivery. “We implemented a water-efficient irrigation system tailored to the local climate, using drip irrigation and zoning to ensure plants receive exactly what they need,” Alex explained. Soil conditioning and mulching were also incorporated to retain moisture and reduce long-term water use, ensuring the landscape remains both resilient and low maintenance.

Working within a live construction environment presented challenges, particularly in coordinating with multiple trades and aligning with evolving timelines. “Flexibility and communication were critical. We worked closely with the builder and other contractors to ensure everything came together smoothly,” Alex said.

The result is a landscape that does more than frame the gallery, it invites people in. With open pathways, shaded areas, and carefully curated planting, AH Landscaping has created an environment that encourages exploration, connection, and community use. “Ultimately, the landscape helps make the space feel welcoming, functional and part of its surroundings,” Alex added.

For more information contact AH Landscaping, 78 Old Dookie Road, Shepparton VIC 3630



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