OUR SERVICES

Vertical Transportation & Façade Access Consultancy for Melbourne & Australian Design Teams

orting Australian Architects, MEP Consultants & Multidisciplinary Engineering Practices Delivering Projects Across the Middle East & India

Dunbar & Boardman (D&B) is an independent Vertical Transportation consultant specialising in lift and escalator consultancy, lift traffic analysis and simulation, high-rise Vertical Transportation design, BIM coordination and Façade Access consultancy.

D&B supports Melbourne-based and wider Australian architects, MEP consultants, building-services consultants, engineering practices, master planners and multidisciplinary design teams delivering complex developments across the Middle East, India and international markets.

D&B also supports architects, MEP consultants, engineering practices and multidisciplinary design teams across Australia, including Sydney-based practices, particularly where their international commissions extend to projects across the Middle East and India.

Established in the United Kingdom in 1981, D&B brings more than four decades of specialist consultancy experience, together with established regional delivery capability across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC and India.

For Melbourne-based and wider Australian design and engineering practices working internationally, D&B can provide specialist Vertical Transportation (VT) and Façade Access expertise from early-stage concept planning, high-rise core development and lift traffic analysis through detailed design, BIM coordination, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning.

Supporting Melbourne & Australia's International Design & Engineering Community

Melbourne is a major centre for architecture, engineering and multidisciplinary design in Australia, with Melbourne-based practices contributing to significant commercial, mixed-use, residential, hospitality, cultural, transport and infrastructure developments in Australia and internationally. Together with Sydney and other Australian design centres, Australian practices are increasingly involved in major international commissions, including projects across the Middle East and India.

D&B works collaboratively with international design teams, providing specialist expertise that can be integrated into the wider architectural, MEP and engineering design process.

For complex and high-rise buildings in particular, early Vertical Transportation input can significantly influence building-core efficiency, lift zoning, passenger circulation, floor populations, system capacity, equipment configuration and overall development efficiency.

Our early involvement allows these requirements to be assessed while the architectural concept and building core remain flexible, helping design teams balance passenger performance, operational requirements, spatial efficiency and capital investment.

Whether appointed directly by the client or engaged as a specialist subconsultant to an architect, MEP consultant or multidisciplinary engineering practice, D&B provides independent specialist support from concept through project delivery.

Specialist VT & Façade Access Support for Engineering Consultants

D&B works with MEP, building-services and multidisciplinary engineering consultants requiring specialist Vertical Transportation or Façade Access capability as part of their wider international design commissions.

Where these specialist disciplines are not maintained in-house, D&B can integrate with the consultant’s project team as a specialist VT and Façade Access subconsultant, providing dedicated technical expertise while supporting the lead consultant’s overall design and delivery responsibilities.

Our specialist support can include:

Vertical Transportation strategy and system planning
High-rise and supertall VT planning
Lift traffic analysis and simulation
Lift population, zoning, capacity and speed studies
Destination-control strategy
Passenger, service and goods-movement planning
Lift, escalator and moving-walkway design
Firefighting and evacuation lift strategy
Technical specifications and equipment schedules
Architectural, structural and MEP interface coordination
VT BIM modelling and LOD 300 coordination
Tender documentation and technical bid evaluation
Contractor submission and shop-drawing review
Construction-stage technical support
Testing and commissioning advisory
Façade Access strategy
Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) consultancy

D&B can work within the lead consultant’s project procedures, BIM protocols, Common Data Environment, programme and document-control requirements, enabling our specialist team to operate as an integrated extension of the wider multidisciplinary design team.

Flexible Specialist Subconsultancy

Specialist Subconsultancy Appointments

D&B can be appointed by architects, MEP consultants and multidisciplinary engineering practices to deliver specialist VT and/or Façade Access packages within their wider international design commissions. This enables the lead consultant to access specialist capability without the requirement to maintain dedicated VT or Façade Access resources in-house.

Project-Specific Technical Support

D&B can undertake a complete specialist consultancy scope or provide targeted input for individual project stages, including traffic studies, high-rise core reviews, design reviews, BIM coordination, peer reviews and specialist technical assessments.

Framework & Portfolio Support

For international consultants delivering multiple projects across the Middle East and India, D&B can provide ongoing specialist VT and Façade Access support across a portfolio of projects.

This can provide consistency in technical standards, design methodology, documentation and specialist resources across multiple commissions.

Peer Review & Technical Advisory

D&B can provide independent technical review and specialist advisory services where an additional level of VT or Façade Access expertise is required.

Independent Vertical Transportation Expertise

High-Rise VT Strategy & Core Planning

For high-rise and complex developments, Vertical Transportation strategy is a fundamental component of building planning.

D&B develops VT strategies considering:

Building population and occupancy
Lift zoning
Sky-lobby strategies where appropriate
Passenger and service lift requirements
Lift capacities and speeds
Destination-control systems
Core configuration and efficiency
Service and goods movement
Mixed-use segregation
Firefighting and evacuation requirements
Equipment spatial requirements
Operational performance

Early specialist involvement allows alternative VT strategies to be evaluated before the building core becomes fixed.

Lift Traffic Analysis & Simulation

D&B undertakes detailed lift traffic analysis and simulation to evaluate passenger demand, handling capacity, waiting times and overall system performance.

Studies can consider:

Morning up-peak traffic
Inter-floor and lunchtime traffic
Evening down-peak traffic
Commercial office populations
Residential traffic patterns
Hotel guest and service movements
Mixed-use traffic segregation
Destination-control systems
High-rise zoning strategies
Lift capacity and speed optimisation

For high-rise and mixed-use developments, traffic analysis can be used iteratively with architectural core planning to evaluate different lift configurations and identify an appropriate balance between passenger performance and usable floor area.

Lift, Escalator & Moving Walkway Design

D&B provides independent planning and technical design for passenger lifts, service lifts, goods lifts, escalators and moving walkways, appropriate to the building type, anticipated population, operational requirements and project design criteria.

Our independent position allows equipment strategies to be developed around the requirements of the building rather than around a particular manufacturer’s product range.

Design Development & Technical Documentation

Our services extend through schematic and detailed design and can include:

VT design criteria
Lift and escalator schedules
Technical specifications
Shaft and pit requirements
Machine-room requirements where applicable
Architectural interfaces
Structural interfaces
MEP interfaces
Builder’s-work information
Tender documentation
Technical design reports

D&B can coordinate its specialist deliverables with the wider architectural and engineering documentation package.

BIM & Digital Coordination

D&B provides BIM-enabled Vertical Transportation coordination, including LOD 300 modelling, architectural and MEP interface coordination, clash review and collaboration through Common Data Environment platforms.

For international projects involving design teams located across multiple countries, digital coordination enables D&B to work effectively as part of the wider project team irrespective of geographical location. Our BIM capability supports the coordination of lift shafts, pits, headroom, machine spaces, equipment interfaces and associated architectural, structural and MEP requirements.

Tendering, Construction & Commissioning

D&B’s involvement can continue beyond design through:

Tender technical support
Technical bid evaluation
Contractor design review
Shop-drawing review
Equipment submittal review
Architectural and MEP interface review
Construction-stage coordination
Site technical support
Testing and commissioning advisory
Handover support

This provides continuity of specialist VT advice from the initial design concept through project completion.

Connecting Australian Design Expertise with Middle East & India Delivery

Melbourne & Australian Architects, MEP Consultants & Multidisciplinary Engineering Teams

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Dunbar & Boardman

Independent Specialist Vertical Transportation & Façade Access Consultancy

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D&B provides specialist continuity between the international design team and the project-delivery market, supporting projects from early concept development through detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning.

This model allows Melbourne-based and wider Australian architects and engineering consultants to retain their design leadership while working with specialist teams experienced in the Middle East and India markets where their projects are being delivered.

Sectors We Support

High-Rise & Supertall Buildings

Complex VT strategies for tall buildings, including lift zoning, destination control, high-capacity passenger movement, service strategies and efficient core planning.

Commercial & Workplace

Vertical Transportation planning and traffic-performance analysis for office towers, corporate headquarters, financial districts and major commercial developments.

Mixed-Use Developments

Integrated mobility strategies for complex developments combining commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, entertainment and other uses, including segregation of passenger and service movements.

Hospitality & Destination Developments

Guest, service and back-of-house VT strategies for hotels, resorts and destination developments.

Airports & Aviation

Passenger lifts, escalators, moving walkways, service lifts and integrated passenger-movement planning for airport terminals and aviation infrastructure.

Residential

VT planning for premium residential towers, branded residences and large-scale multi-building developments.

Cultural & Civic

Specialist mobility solutions for museums, exhibition centres, cultural venues, convention facilities and major public buildings.

Sports & Entertainment

VT and passenger-movement strategies for stadiums, arenas, entertainment venues and major visitor destinations.

Healthcare

Passenger, bed, service and emergency movement planning for hospitals and healthcare developments.

Metro & Transport

High-capacity escalators, passenger lifts and accessibility systems for stations and major transport infrastructure.

Façade Access Consultancy

Alongside its core Vertical Transportation capability, D&B provides independent specialist Façade Access consultancy for complex buildings and developments. For high-rise architecture, Façade Access strategy benefits from early consideration alongside the building form, roof configuration and façade design.

Services can include:

Façade Access strategy
Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) planning
Roof-access strategy
Façade-maintenance methodology
Equipment selection and specification
Architectural integration
Structural and MEP interface coordination
BIM coordination
Tendering and technical evaluation
Construction-stage review
Testing and commissioning advisory

Early specialist involvement allows Façade Access systems to be integrated with the architectural concept while addressing safe, practical and efficient long-term maintenance requirements.

Selected Landmark Experience

D&B’s specialist experience includes major and complex developments across the Middle East and India, including:

Burj Al Arab – Dubai, UAE
ICD Brookfield Place – Dubai, UAE
Address Harbour Point – Dubai, UAE
SLS Dubai – Dubai, UAE
CIEL Tower – Dubai, UAE
National Bank of Kuwait Headquarters – Kuwait
King Abdullah Financial District – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Lusail Plaza Towers – Qatar
Msheireb Downtown Doha – Qatar
Bahrain World Trade Centre – Bahrain
Bharat Mandapam – New Delhi, India

D&B’s experience encompasses high-rise and complex buildings, commercial towers, mixed-use developments, hospitality, residential, transport, cultural and major destination projects.

Why International Design & Engineering Teams Work with D&B

Independent & Manufacturer-Neutral

D&B provides independent specialist advice developed around project requirements rather than the interests of any particular lift or equipment manufacturer.

Established Since 1981

More than four decades of specialist Vertical Transportation consultancy heritage originating in the United Kingdom.

High-Rise & Complex Building Experience

D&B’s experience includes landmark tall buildings and complex developments requiring specialist consideration of traffic performance, lift zoning, core efficiency and system configuration.

Specialist Subconsultancy Capability

D&B can integrate into architectural, MEP and multidisciplinary engineering teams where dedicated VT or Façade Access expertise is required.

Middle East & India Delivery Capability

Our regional structure provides international design teams with specialist support in the markets where their projects are being delivered.

Early Architectural & Engineering Integration

D&B works from the earliest design stages to coordinate VT requirements with architecture, structure, MEP services and building operations.

BIM-Enabled International Collaboration

Our digital-delivery capability supports coordination with international teams through BIM and Common

Data Environment workflows.

Full Project Lifecycle

Concept → Traffic Analysis → Schematic Design → Detailed Design → BIM Coordination → Tender → Construction → Testing & Commissioning

Working with Melbourne & Australian Design & Engineering Teams

D&B welcomes collaboration with Melbourne-based and wider Australian architects, MEP consultants, building-services consultants, engineering practices, master planners and multidisciplinary design teams delivering major projects across the Middle East and India.

D&B can be appointed directly or engaged as a specialist subconsultant, providing dedicated Vertical Transportation and Façade Access expertise within a wider architectural or engineering commission.

For Australian consultants that do not maintain dedicated VT or Façade Access capability in-house—or require additional specialist resources for major international commissions—D&B can operate as an integrated extension of the project design team.

Our specialist teams can become involved from the earliest stages of a project, supporting VT strategy, lift traffic analysis and simulation, high-rise core planning, zoning, system selection and Façade Access strategy, before progressing through detailed design, BIM coordination, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning.

D&B can work within the lead consultant’s project-management procedures, BIM protocols, Common Data Environment, document-control systems and technical-delivery standards, enabling effective collaboration between Australian design teams and projects being delivered across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the wider GCC and India.

This provides Melbourne-based and wider Australian design and engineering practices with continuity of independent specialist advice from concept through project delivery, supported by D&B’s regional delivery capability across the Middle East and India.

Delivering a Project in the Middle East or India?

Engage D&B as your specialist Vertical Transportation and Façade Access partner.

Discuss Your Project with D&B