Dr Shan Kumar Wins the John Connell Gold Medal

 
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Dr. Shan Kumar is an asset to SCE Australia and the wider engineering profession. He was recognised in 2017 by Engineers Australia as one of the most innovative Engineers in the country and we are very proud that Shan has just been announced as the recipient of the 2019 John Connell Gold Medal by Engineers Australia. The John Connell Gold Medal is the most prestigious structural engineering award in Australia. This national award recognises 1 structural engineer each year for their eminence and their outstanding contribution to the structural engineering profession.

This is certainly Shan who has forged an amazing career while always giving back to the profession.  Shan immigrated to Australia from Sri Lanka in 1987 after first completing his Masters of Concrete Construction and Construction Management at the University of Leeds. Shan found his way to John Connell and Associates in 1988, which having worked directly for John Connell himself makes this award even more special. Shan was at John Connell Associates for 25 years and saw it transition from John Connell Associates to Connell Wagner and to the now known Aurecon Australia. While there, Shan played a significant role in some truly amazing projects, some of which include:

  • Southgate, Southbank development, Melbourne

  • Crown Casino, Southbank, Melbourne

  • Victoria Stadium (now Marvel Stadium), Docklands, Melbourne

  • Multipurpose Venue (now Hisense Arena), Melbourne Tennis Centre

  • Federation Square, Melbourne

  • Eureka Tower, Melbourne

  • MCG Great Southern Stand refurbishment, Melbourne

  • Etihad Towers – 5 towers in Abu Dhabi

  • Qatar National Bank – 510m tall tower

  • 27 Storey Quay West apartments

  • Monash Caulfield-11 storey Academic offices and 8 storey Carpark building 

  • 24hr shopping mall -Campbellfield plaza

  • 24hr shopping mall-Waurn Ponds mall

  • BAE Williamstown Shipyard Upgrade – Melbourne

  • Melbourne and Adelaide Airport – Air Traffic Control Towers

In 2013, Shan moved to the Hickory Group and was instrumental in the development of their world renowned modular building systems. These modular building systems have provided a step change in the construction of high-rise buildings here in Australia and Shan is regularly invited to be a guest speaker at conferences all over the world. These modular techniques were successfully utilised on projects such as:

  • 323 La Trobe Street, Melbourne – 44 storey residential tower

  • 50 La Trobe Street, Melbourne – 44 storey student accommodation tower

  • Collins House – 466 Collins Street, Melbourne – 60 storey tower

  • MLC – Little Collins Street, Melbourne – 33 storey HIEX

  • City Road, Melbourne – 24 storey HIEX

  • East Central Apartments - 820 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill-34 storey building

  • Hawthorn Park residential and retail complex – 37-57 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn

  • Peppers King Square, Perth – 17 storey tower

  • Stella Apartments, Perth – 6 storey’s

  • N06 tower London -UK- collaboration with MACE London(HRS prefab system)

While working with Hickory, Shan Kumar was also responsible for several projects with Maroondah City Council as a client engineer. One of which included the $50 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre. 

While assembling this impressive portfolio of projects, Shan has always given back to the profession through universities, industry groups, code committees etc.  Shan has had a long affiliation with both Swinburne University and Melbourne University providing lectures, tutorials and generally developing the next generation of engineers. Shan is a professional fellow at Swinburne University and an honorary fellow at Melbourne University. In 2017, Shan was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering by Swinburne university.

One of Shans passions in structural engineering is the use of concrete as a material. He has therefore had a long affiliation with the Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA).  Shan is a long serving committee member and national councillor and is the current CIA National President. 

Shan joined SCE Australia in 2019 and is making a significant contribution to our organisation and our clients. On behalf of everyone at SCE Australia, Shan we congratulate you on winning the prestigious John Connell Gold Medal. You are worthy winner and we look forward to working with you for many more years to come.

 
Todd SheldonComment