In the heart of Brisbane, a new culinary hotspot has arrived. Babylon Brisbane, owned by Mantle Group Hospitality, is a multi-level dining and drinking destination that brings the rich flavours and vibrant culture of the Middle East to the city’s riverside. It’s more than just a restaurant, it’s a celebration of Levantine-inspired cuisine, architectural elegance, and sustainable design.
Behind the scenes of this ambitious project was Nexus Engineering which managed the project for Mantle Group overseeing construction and completion and brought Babylon Brisbane to life.
Managing the Babylon Brisbane project on the client side meant navigating complex challenges—from global material procurement to structural reinforcements. Success demanded meticulous coordination, strategic problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The result? Babylon Brisbane stands as a vibrant hub of Levantine-inspired cuisine.
About Nexus Engineering
Nexus Engineering is an Australian consultancy specializing in structural engineering and project management for residential, commercial, and industrial projects
We are committed to providing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions, leveraging modern technology and deep industry expertise to meet diverse client needs.
With a focus on quality, safety, and seamless execution, Nexus Engineering has built a reputation for tackling challenges head-on. Their commitment to transparency and collaboration makes them a trusted partner for ambitious projects like Babylon Brisbane.
Project Overview: Babylon Brisbane
Babylon Brisbane is a contemporary restaurant and bar that blends Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, offering bold flavours and traditional cooking methods with a modern twist. It is designed by local award-winning architects Hogg and Lamb. Spanning three levels, it includes multiple bars, terraces, and dining spaces.
The interior features warm, stylish décor inspired by Mesopotamian architecture, with terracotta-timber buildings, red marble tabletops, and a sleek 10-meter green marble bar. Meanwhile, the outdoor space embraces a lush, relaxing atmosphere with riverside terraces and palm trees and a pergola that opens and closes depending on the weather or manually to elevate the experience and comfort of guests.
The project aimed to create a space that balanced modern aesthetics with functional design. It needed to accommodate both small and large gatherings while ensuring comfort and safety.
Nexus Engineering was entrusted with overseeing the project’s delivery, procurement, and innovative engineering solutions. The firm’s primary responsibility was to ensure that the delivery of the project would be smooth, safe and efficient.
Scope of the Project
The Babylon Brisbane project offered Nexus Engineering a unique opportunity to demonstrate its expertise in handling large-scale, high-profile developments.
The scope of the project encompassed several critical elements, including:
- Procuring high-quality materials from global suppliers to meet design and performance standards.
- Conducting tenders process among various contractors to identify the best fit for the project.
- Developing and monitoring the project schedule.
- Monitoring the construction team, discussing issues, and addressing challenges.
- Managing the budget, preparing performance and progress reports.
- Preparing contracts with contractors, consultants, and suppliers, reviewing and validating invoices from them.
- Coordinating stakeholders, scheduling meetings, site visits, and related tasks.
- Ensuring compliance and quality assurance by meeting all regulatory requirements and quality standards.
Key Challenges and Engineering Solutions
The Babylon Brisbane project presented several challenges that required creative problem-solving and precise execution.
1. Global Sourcing of Materials:
To achieve Babylon Brisbane’s distinct aesthetic, we faced ongoing challenges, sourcing materials from around the world, including furniture from Sri Lanka, stone from Iran, crockery from Turkey, kitchen equipment from the U.S., porcelain tiles from Iran, and ceramic tiles from Italy.
While this ensured authenticity, it also introduced logistical hurdles. Nexus Engineering managed these challenges through:
Pre-Selection & Collaboration:
The process began with the architect pre-selecting finishes that aligned with the Mantle Group‘s vision . These selections were then presented to suppliers operating in the Australian market. However, not all nominated materials were immediately viable—some were unavailable in the required quantities, others exceeded budget constraints, and a few posed logistical challenges.
To address these issues, Nexus Engineering facilitated close collaboration between the architect, suppliers, and the top management of the Mantle Group
Proactive Tracking:
We employed tracking system to monitor shipments, port arrivals, and customs clearance, ensuring timely transfers to the project warehouse and preventing delays.
Despite minor delays of a week or two (common in international shipping), the team ensured no critical material was delayed beyond reasonably acceptable timeframes, allowing the project to stay on track.
2. Structural Reinforcement for the Pergola
The rooftop dining space features a remote-controlled pergola, allowing guests to enjoy an open-air experience while being protected from sun or rain. However, the existing suspended concrete slab wasn’t initially designed to support the pergola’s weight.
Solution: Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
To avoid extensive structural modifications, carbon fiber reinforcement was used—a lightweight yet incredibly strong solution. The room under the slab did not allow to install main stream reinforcement such as beams. Columns, etc., due to space constraints. By bonding carbon fiber strips to the concrete slab with epoxy resin, the strength of the slab was significantly increased its load-bearing capacity without adding excessive weight.
After installation, the team conducted testing to ensure adhesion and strength met all requirements. The success of this method has since been applied to other projects,.
3. Solid Fuel Stove:
A standout feature of Babylon Brisbane’s kitchen is its solid fuel stove, which plays a key role in delivering authentic, smoky flavors. Beyond safety and compliance, the solid fuel stove had to align with the fast-paced demands of a commercial kitchen. However, integrating this type of stove in a modern commercial kitchen required careful planning.
Finding a manufacturer capable of producing a system that met all these requirements was challenging, as there are only a couple of them in Brisbane and they are always busy.
Solution: Fire Safety & Structural Adaptations
Solid fuel stoves generate more heat and open flames than conventional gas appliances.
Several safety measures were implemented, including built-in sprinklers and fire prevention mechanisms to mitigate risk, advanced insulation for heat management to protect surrounding structures and ensure a safe working environment, and structural reinforcement of the floor slab to support the weight of the stove and its associated equipment.
Nexus Engineering worked with structural engineers to assess the building’s capacity, system engineers to ensure ventilation systems fit the purpose and other participants to implement necessary steps ensuring the stove could be installed and would function without compromising the integrity of the building.
Solution: Advanced Smoke Exhaust System Proper ventilation was essential to remove smoke and odors while meeting environmental and safety regulations. The exhaust system featured multi-stage filtration, including carbon and ozone-based filters, to purify air before release. Ozone generators neutralized harmful chemicals and odors, while insulated pipes handled high temperatures and prevented heat transfer. A custom hood design with sophisticated sprinkler system effectively captured smoke, directing it through the filtration system and out of the building.Nexus Engineering coordinated with the kitchen team to optimize the stove’s layout and workflow, ensuring it complemented the galley-style kitchen design. An adjoining thoroughfare allowed guests to observe chefs preparing meals, adding an interactive element to the dining experience.
Project Execution and Timeline
With the total project costs not much below 8-digit number the project kicked off in February 2022 and aimed for completion by September. However, frequent design modifications led to material reorders, contractor rescheduling, and adjustments to execution plans.
To maintain efficiency, the project was divided into two phases:
- Indoor Completion (December 2022): On Christmas , the indoor section was serving Christmas parties. Thus enabling Babylon Brisbane to begin generating revenue.
- Outdoor Completion (February 2023): The outdoor pergola area, including the reinforced suspended slab and remote-controlled louver system, was finalized by early February of the following year.
Despite many challenges, the project was delivered in about a year, demonstrating adaptability and commitment to excellence.
Lessons Learned
Every project provides valuable insights, and Babylon Brisbane was no exception. Key takeaways include:
- Material Sourcing Strategy: Establishing early supplier agreements and backup options can minimize delays when sourcing internationally.
- Structural Adaptability: Innovative reinforcement techniques, such as carbon fiber applications, can solve weight-bearing challenges without major structural overhauls.
- Project Phasing Efficiency: Dividing construction into manageable phases ensures early revenue generation while finalizing design modifications.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Regular alignment meetings between engineers, architects, and contractors streamline execution and reduce last-minute adjustments.
These lessons will serve as a foundation for optimizing future projects, reinforcing Nexus Engineering’s reputation for excellence.
Project Delivery: A Lasting Impact
Nexus Engineering’s contribution to Babylon Brisbane has been integral to its success. The project stands as a testament to our ability to turn The successful completion of Babylon Brisbane has had a profound impact on both the client and Nexus Engineering.
Client Satisfaction
Babylon Brisbane quickly became one of the city’s most sought-after dining spots, thanks to its unique ambience and culinary experience. The Mantle Group praised Nexus Engineering’s transparency, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage the project seamlessly. This successful collaboration has strengthened our ongoing professional relationship.
Partner with Nexus Engineering
Babylon Brisbane is more than just a restaurant—it’s a masterclass in engineering, design, and project management. For Nexus Engineering, this project reaffirmed our commitment to innovation and meticulous execution. From sourcing rare materials to overcoming challenges,.
Nexus Engineering’s legacy of excellence in construction will remain central to the city’s architectural evolution.
With this project successfully completed, Nexus Engineering continues to push boundaries, taking on new challenges and delivering solutions that redefine excellence in the field.
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