Mechanical Design For Commercial Development At 225 Great Eastern Highway

Located on a prominent site along Great Eastern Highway in Perth, this new development is a 4-star quality hotel comprising 200+ guest rooms, conference facilities, offices, a commercial kitchen, retail tenancies, a restaurant, and a café.

Froster Engineering was engaged to deliver both the mechanical services design and energy efficiency compliance, contributing to the successful delivery of a high-performance, mixed-use facility that balances operational needs with comfort and compliance.

Mechanical system design

A central chiller plant was selected to meet the cooling demands of the hotel and was strategically located on the roof. This required close coordination with the structural and acoustic engineers to ensure noise control and system performance.

To minimise noise transfer to the hotel levels below, we implemented:

• Acoustic treatments around the plant
• Visual and acoustic screening
• Concrete slab separation between the plantroom and occupied floors

This design approach protected both the hotel experience and surrounding urban amenity, without compromising system efficiency or access.

Energy compliance and glazing performance

Due to the building’s full-height glazing at the ground level, particularly across high-profile areas like the reception, function lobby, conference rooms, café, and restaurant, the standard Section J requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) would have required the use of very dark glazing to achieve compliance.

Instead, Froster Engineering applied a JV3 performance solution, which evaluates the building’s total energy use and allows for flexibility in how compliance is achieved. Through this model, we were able to:

• Offset energy credits from other areas of the building
• Allow for a more practical and consistent glazing specification
• Maintain visual and daylight access standards desired by the architectural team

This performance-based approach ensured compliance without sacrificing the building’s design quality or user experience.

Trade coordination and delivery

Our role extended beyond design, involving close collaboration with:

• Architects to preserve spatial intent and ceiling height
• Electrical and hydraulic consultants to manage services integration
• Acoustic consultants to resolve plant noise impacts
• Builders and contractors to support site-level coordination

This level of detail helped prevent clashes, streamline installation, and support a smooth pathway to construction and commissioning.

Outcome and impact

Froster Engineering’s input delivered a mechanical system that is practical, efficient, and compliant, while supporting the hotel’s broader operational and design goals. Our JV3 energy modelling gave the project team the flexibility to uphold a high-end glazing and façade design without compromising on performance.

By working closely with all stakeholders and thinking strategically across both energy and services design, Froster helped ensure the long-term functionality, comfort, and compliance of this landmark hotel development.