Brisbane, 19 July 2025 — Brisbane-based consultancy Built Environment Collective (BEC) has received two prestigious State Awards at the Concrete Institute of Australia’s Awards for Excellence, held at Brisbane City Hall, recognising the firm’s groundbreaking contributions to two globally significant projects: the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) on the Great Barrier Reef and the preservation and modernisation of Africa Hall, an iconic United Nations landmark in Ethiopia.
These achievements highlight just some of BEC’s multidisciplinary expertise, including structural, materials and coastal engineering, and its growing influence on the international stage in the fields of sustainability, heritage conservation, and environmental art.
Engineering the Reef: Museum of Underwater Art
BEC supported acclaimed British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor with engineering design and certification for a series of submerged sculptures forming the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). Crafted using pH-neutral, marine-grade geopolymer concrete, the sculptures were engineered to be structurally sound and environmentally regenerative—offering refuge for marine life and drawing global attention to reef health.
“This project brings together sustainability, creativity, and marine science in a way few built environments can. We’re proud to engineer art, and also sustainability initiatives—especially when the two are intertwined.”
John Tuxworth, CEO of BEC
The project posed unique technical challenges, including cyclonic wave loading, environmental compliance with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s requirements, and the need for long-term durability in marine conditions.
Key achievements:
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- Structural design for permanent underwater installation
- Use of sustainable, non-toxic, marine-compatible materials
- Integration of engineering with public education and environmental storytelling
- Interdisciplinary collaboration across art, tourism, conservation & science
- Compliance with rigorous environmental and construction protocols
Now a tourist destination in its own right, MOUA exemplifies how engineering can be a vehicle for ecological impact, cultural expression, and climate advocacy.
Revitalising a Pan-African Icon: Africa Hall, Ethiopia
BEC was also honoured for its pivotal role in the restoration of Africa Hall in Addis Ababa—headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the site where the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity was signed.
Donated by Emperor Haile Selassie and opened in 1961, the building required sensitive structural intervention to preserve its modernist legacy while meeting current international standards and UN security requirements. BEC’s involvement followed the firm’s successful delivery of another award winning project, the Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa, and included forming a design team with heritage architects from Riddel Architecture (who merged with Conrad Gargett and are now part of Architectus).
“Restoring Africa Hall, a congress building for all African peoples, was a rare opportunity to contribute to a structure of global symbolic value. The challenges were quite significant, as was the privilege.”
John Tuxworth, CEO of BEC
Project highlights:
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- Forensic concrete durability assessments & heritage-sensitive interventions
- Navigation of UN procurement & design approval in New York
- Use of sustainable, locally appropriate construction methods
- Leading a cross-continental, multidisciplinary team with cultural and technical fluency
BEC’s minimally invasive approach ensured technical excellence while preserving the Hall’s architectural and political identity. The project is now under consideration for national and international accolades in engineering and heritage conservation.
Global Impact—Local Excellence
Both projects reflect BEC’s commitment to sustainability, cultural stewardship, and innovation via multi-discipline engineering consultancy. Whether submerged beneath the waters of the Great Barrier Reef or embedded in the political history of Africa, BEC’s work exemplifies the transformative potential of engineering when aligned with purpose.
