James Griffiths

Career Highlights

Client: Whitehorse Constructions
Fantastic Furniture
Project Lead

70,000m² production and storage warehouse facility with 60 loading docks in a 45 degree configuration which provided challenges with the alignment of portal column and loading dock panels. The main portal frame span 150m with 4 internal columns. The awning cantilevers 30m and runs the length of the building.

Client: Australand
Corporate Express (AUD $55m)
Project Lead

One of the largest logistic developments in Western Sydney consisting of 40,000sqm warehouse and 2,000m² 2 story office, it is a leading example of sustainable development for the industrial sector in Australia. The facility was designed to consolidate six separate facilities and became the flagship for Corporate Express.

Career History

2018—Present
Griffiths Engineers Australia

1973—Present
Griffiths Engineers

1973
Noyes Bros – Coal Washery

1972—1973
TTW

1971—1972
Frederick Harris NV – The Hague – Offshore Oil Platform

1968—1971
Atomic Power Constructions – Dungeness ‘B’ Nuclear Reactor

Projects Summary

2016—Present
Structural Engineer—Griffiths Engineers Australia

Client: Prime Constructions
Structural design of the Switchyard Industrial Estate by Mirvac 300 Manchester Rd Auburn NSW
Structural Engineer

The project is located within Sydney’s premier industrial precinct. The site comprises of six prime grade unit style warehouse and distribution centres. Each building consists of warehouses and offices. The warehouses range in size from 8,000 m² to 14,615 m² with an approximate total area of 72 625 m². The development has faced unprecedented challenges due to heavy rains and Covid 19. James was responsible for developing structural design details where required. James also contributed by conducting site inspections and supervising and checking designs.

Client: FKG Constructions
Structural design of the Grain Storage Facility, Lot 3, 39 Herron Rd, Kooragang
Structural Engineer

Two 8 000 m² grain storage facilities, located on the difficult and extremely soft soils of Kooragang Island, Newcastle, NSW designed for 80 kPa UDL silo storage loads. The professional team solved large ground settlements (-350mm) with a combination of CMC - Controlled Modulus Columns (by our friends at Menard Oceania) and vertically cambered sub-base to offset the predicted settlements. The grain is retained against precast panel walls at the sides and slopes up to an 11m height within each building. James contributed to the design development of the project and was responsible for the development of structural design details where required.

Client: Charter.Pac
Structural design of the Sheffield Group HQ, 111 Munibung Rd, Boolaroo
Structural Engineer

Griffiths Engineers Australia provided structural engineering the Sheffield Group of their HQ in Newcastle. The ~5600 m² warehouse facility and suspended ~600 m² office was custom designed to suit their growing business. James was responsible for the structural design details, supervising and checking of designs.

Client: Prime Constructions
Structural design of the Distribution Centre 149 McCredie Rd, Smithfield
Structural Engineer

Gateway@Smithfield is a spectacular site within excess of 46,000 m² of premium industrial and office space, all structurally designed by Griffiths Engineers Australia. The two warehouses and eight office buildings (both single and multistorey) are standout features across this big Sydney site. The engineering features also include large-scale retaining for warehousing loads, noise barriers, and high spec jointless warehouse slabs. James was responsible for the structural design details, supervising and checking of designs.

Client: FDC Construction & Fitout
Industrial Development of the Horsley Park Equine Centre – Seven hills
Project Lead

Horsley Park is now home to REC Equine Specialists’ new state-of-the-art equine veterinary practice. The ~20,000  m² project was delivered over a 10-month period by FDC Construction and structural design services were provided by Griffiths Engineers Australia. The project involved the demolition of an existing single dwelling and the subsequent transformation of the site into the advanced equine facility that it is today. James was responsible for the structural design details, supervising and checking of designs.

Client: Prime Construction
Industrial Development of Units 2 and 17, Seven hills
Project Lead

This project consisted of a 5800m2 development with and adjacent office building. Griffiths Engineers Australia provided structural engineering services for the development which included the design of the external hardstand, steel structure, tilt up panels, concrete works, and foundations. James directly contributed to the project by design details, supervising and checking of designs.

1973—Present
Structural Engineer—Griffiths Engineers Est. 1973

Client: Taylor Construction
Kotara Homemakers centre – Kotara
Project Lead

MBA award winner 2011, Retail building up to $30 million

Griffiths Engineers as the prinicipal Structural Engineer for the Taylor design and construct team assisted in minimising costs by proposing a redesign of the structure and the utilisation of a hybrid system of composite precast panels, as well as tilt up construction. The layout of the 30,000m² building area suited the use of varying systems at the front and rear. The use of offsite precast panels reduced time off the program. The Kotara Homemaker Centre facility was completed three months ahead of schedule, enabling retailers to trade prior to Christmas

Client: FDC
NextDC Data centre S1 – Eden Park
Project Lead

MBA award winner 2014, Best Communication building $25 million +

Griffiths Engineers provided structural solutions to maintain the building programme for this complex, service driven data centre; as a result the centre was opened on time and within budget. The five story building presented engineering challenges similar to those of a hospital, breaking the traditional mould of the single floor format and incorporating a free air cooling system in a large multi-storey building with a 4,200m² floor plate

Client: FDC Construction & Fitout
Asics Warehouse, Erskine Park (AUD 11 million)—Sydney, NSW
Project Lead

MBA award winner 2011, Industrial building $10 million +

This project consists of a 13,000 m² warehouse which is utilized as their distribution centre for all of NSW. There is also a 2,500m² office that serves as the head office for NSW comprising open plan office space, private offices, two showrooms, a gym and a reception area.

Client: FDC Construction & Fitout
Pelican Artline Warehouse, Erskine Park (AUD 11 million)—Sydney, NSW
Project Lead

The “West Nest” project, to design and construct a new 20,000m² warehouse, production and distribution facility for Pelikan Artline was signed up by FDC Construction & Fitout. With a tight 6 month design and build to deliver timeframe, FDC engaged Griffiths Engineers to deliver an economical, practical, buildable portal frame building with offices. The project featured 110m span portals at 11.3m centres, with FFFL 50/30 super flat finished jointless fibre reinforced floor slab.

Jim was responsible for the design of structural steel details, retaining walls and the jointless steel fibre reinforced super flat surface slab

Client: Prime Constructions
Al Faisal College, Auburn (AUD 10 million)—Sydney, NSW
Project Lead

Al Faisal College – Building D is a 6 storey school building in Auburn. This structure was won in a D&C capacity by Prime Constructions, who engaged Griffiths Engineers for our economic and speedy designs with thought through safety and pragmatic construction buildability.

Client: Prime Constructions
Linfox Healthcare Logistics, Erskine Park
Project Lead

MBA award winner 2014, Industrial building $25 million +

This state of the art 27,000m² temperature controlled pharmaceutical storage and distribution facility with 1,500m² of associated offices was completed over a 46 week period. The facility also includes an industrial freezer, an 800m² cool room, two security vaults and a dangerous goods area. The use of thermo mass precast panels ensures a high level of insulation and security.

Client: Prime Constructions
Dana Automotive Systems Group Australia, Yennora
Project Lead

MBA award winner 2004 Industrial Building $10 million +

A design and construct project consisting of 22,500m² manufacturing facility for Dana Automotive and a 7000m2 warehouse facility for Gibson’s Shopfitting. The site required significant remediation and re- engineering prior to construction which Griffiths engineers was instrumental. Dana also included a 4,000m² concrete mezzanine over the manufacturing and testing labarotories.

Client: Prime Constructions
Rand Freezer & Distribution Facility (AUD 25 million)—Sydney, NSW
Project Lead

MBA award winner 2007, Best Industrial Building $25 million +

The project was specifically designed and constructed to suit the needs of Macquarie Goodman’s tenant Rand Refrigerated Transport and included the construction of a large single freezer complex. The 24,000 pallet facility includes both chiller and freezer capability with over 2500m2 of staging area.

Client: FDC
Complete Office Supplies, Lidcombe
Project Lead

2013 MBA Winner of Best Industrial Building $10 – 20M

FDC appointed us the Principle Engineer to provide design and documentation to a 14,000sqm warehouse storage and distribution facility. We also provided design to the refurbishment and extension of an existing office space. A new 3,000sqm split level car park was also added as a link way between the warehouse and office.

Client: FDC Construction
Construction Cost – (AUD) $8m
Stage 1 Bulk storage Warehouse, Pinkenba Brisbane, QLD
Project Lead

This project to design and construct a new 10,000sqm bulk storage warehouses. Bulk material storage heights of up to 10 metres posed complex structural consideration due to high levels of vertical and lateral loading of the floors and walls. FDC worked in collaboration with Griffiths Engineers to provide a design and construct solution that met and exceeded client expectations. The project was successfully handed over within the contract timeframe. Michael was responsible for delivery of construction drawings, coordination with the Architect as well as fielding queries from both the project manager and site manager.

Client: FDC Construction
Construction Cost – (AUD) $13.5m
Stage 2 & 3 Bulk storage Warehouse, Pinkenba Brisbane, QLD
Project Lead

This project to design and construct two new 10,000sqm bulk storage warehouses. Bulk material storage heights of up to 10 metres posed complex structural consideration due to high levels of vertical and lateral loading of the floors and walls. FDC worked in collaboration with Griffiths Engineers to provide a design and construct solution that met and exceeded client expectations. The project was successfully handed over within the contract timeframe. Michael was responsible for delivery of construction drawings, coordination with the Architect as well as fielding queries from both the project manager and site manager.