Capability Statement — 2026
Air
Theory.
High-performance mechanical design and construction — from passive house to commercial precinct, delivered entirely in-house, across Australia.
01 — Who We Are
01High-performance
mechanical consulting.
Air Theory is a specialist mechanical engineering and design consultancy — part of the Treadies group. We deliver fully integrated, turnkey mechanical solutions for buildings that demand technical precision, architectural sensitivity, and long-term performance.
In-House Engineering
Licensed engineers and qualified designers under one roof. No outsourcing of core scope — no coordination gaps, no diluted responsibility.
Turnkey Accountability
Design, documentation, procurement, installation, commissioning and handover. One contract. One point of responsibility. One standard.
Passive Design Integration
We model thermal mass, natural ventilation, and solar shading before sizing any plant — not bolted on after the fact.
Architecturally Sensitive
We understand high-end spaces. Our systems are resolved, concealed, and coordinated to suit premium finishes and design intent.
Perth & Sydney Offices
Permanent teams in both markets with local compliance knowledge, established supply chain, and direct authority relationships.
Backed by Real Trade Experience
Every design decision is grounded in hands-on delivery knowledge. We are not a consulting-only firm — we build what we design.
02 — Services
02What we
design and deliver.
Air Theory offers a full-spectrum mechanical services capability — from early-stage load modelling and design through to procurement, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance. Every service is available standalone or as part of our end-to-end turnkey offering.
Design & Engineering
HVAC System Design
Full system sizing, specification, and documentation. NCC Section J, AS 1668, AS 4254 and AIRAH compliant. IFC drawings to tender and construction standard.
Passive House & High-Performance Design
Passivhaus and NatHERS 7-star+ projects. Heat recovery ventilation, airtightness strategy, and cooling load modelling against building fabric performance.
Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality
Commercial kitchens, gyms, healthcare, marine, clean rooms, high-density residential. Natural ventilation analysis and mixed-mode strategies.
Mechanical & Hydraulic Coordination
In-house drafting against architectural and structural backgrounds. AutoCAD and Revit-ready workflows to support BIM-coordinated projects.
Energy Analysis & Compliance
NCC Section J assessments, HVAC efficiency reports, and energy savings opportunity analysis. Documented HVAC energy reductions of 10–15% on comparable projects.
Installation & Construction
Commercial Construction
Mechanical services delivery for offices, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use developments.
High-End Residential & Architectural Builds
Custom mechanical systems designed to integrate seamlessly into architecturally designed homes. Focused on comfort, performance, and clean installation that respects the design intent.
Commercial Refrigeration
Cold rooms, display cases, process cooling, blast freezers. Supply, installation, and ongoing maintenance under one provider.
Developments & Multi-Residential Projects
End-to-end mechanical delivery for apartments, townhouses, and large-scale developments. Structured to support repeatability, efficiency, and smooth coordination across multiple dwellings.
Specialised & High-Performance Projects
Ventilation and mechanical systems for passive homes, marine applications, and technically complex environments. Delivered with a focus on system performance, air quality, and energy efficiency.
03 — Specialty Capabilities
03Custom solutions for
complex buildings.
Air Theory was established to serve clients who need more than a standard mechanical contractor. We are experienced in high-specification projects where the building brief is as important as the compliance brief — and where a poor mechanical solution cannot be hidden.
Architecturally Designed & High-End Residential
Premium residential buildings present unique challenges — concealed systems, custom grille and diffuser integration, passive cooling strategies, and owner expectations that leave no margin for error.
- Concealed cassette and linear diffuser systems to suit custom ceilings
- Ducted systems coordinated within void spaces — zero bulkhead exposure
- Under-floor air distribution for open-plan architectural floors
- Zoned control with smart thermostat integration (KNX, Daikin Online, Nest)
- Noise-conscious selection — RC-25 or better for master bedroom environments
- Refrigerant line routing resolved to preserve design intent
Commercial Fitout & Mixed-Use
From boutique hotel fitouts to multi-level office refurbishments, Air Theory manages the full mechanical scope and produces IFC documentation to the standard required by tier-one builders.
- Tenancy HVAC for retail, hospitality, and commercial office occupancies
- Commercial kitchen ventilation and make-up air systems
- Data room and server room precision cooling
- NCC Section J compliance documentation and energy reporting
- Base building and tenancy split works — fully documented and coordinated
- Strata and mixed-use precinct mechanical strategy
Marine & Specialist Environments
Treadies’ foundational experience spans HVAC engineering across commercial vessels, naval platforms, mining camps, and medical facilities. Air Theory draws directly on this capability — delivering specialist mechanical solutions in environments where standard contractors cannot operate.
Marine HVAC
Passenger ferries, commercial vessels, naval platforms
Mining & Remote
Camp accommodation, regional and remote delivery
Healthcare
Medical ventilation, infection control, AS 1668
Clean Rooms
Pharmaceutical, laboratory, precision pressure control
Featured project references.
Mining & Resources
Mulla Mulla Camp Upgrade
Site management of the full mechanical upgrade from 500 to 3,500-person accommodation capacity serving Area C BHP. Scope included HVAC design, procurement, installation, and commissioning under a live operational environment.
Government — Accelerated
Covid Quarantine Facility, Bullsbrook WA
Mechanical installation and project management of the Bullsbrook quarantine facility. Delivered on time under an accelerated government contract programme with stringent infection control and ventilation requirements.
Marine HVAC
Rottnest Express Fleet Upgrade
Screw compressor replacement and marine HVAC upgrade across the Rottnest Express fleet. Life-cycle assessment identified replacement over repair as commercially optimal — extending asset life and eliminating ongoing reactive maintenance costs.
04 — Processes & Procedures
04How we
work.
Air Theory operates to a defined, repeatable delivery framework. Whether engaged for concept design only or a full design-and-construct package, our processes ensure quality, compliance, and client confidence at every stage.
Project delivery framework.
Discovery & Brief
Client consultation, site review, system strategy and fee proposal
Concept Design
System selection, load modelling, spatial coordination with architecture
Design Development
Detailed drawings, equipment schedules, NCC compliance confirmation
IFC Documentation
Tender-ready drawings, specifications and commissioning requirements
Procurement
Equipment selection, long-lead management, material scheduling
Installation
Self-performing field teams, SWMS compliance, daily site reporting
Testing & Commissioning
Balancing, BMS integration and NCC performance verification
Handover & O&M
O&M manuals, asset register, DLP management and maintenance
Quality Assurance
Our Service Managers monitor quality and timeliness across all field activities. Quality is not a checklist — it is embedded in how we operate.
- Works inspection by Service Manager prior to client sign-off
- Formal non-conformance register — logged, investigated, closed out with corrective action
- Counter-signed work reports for all maintenance and installation activities prior to site departure
- Live dashboard reporting — real-time job status, completion confirmation, and photo capture
- Quarterly equipment failure reports documenting asset condition and maintenance trends
Safety Management
Safety is the foundation of every Air Theory project. Our HSEQ system is documented, current, and enforced at every level of the business.
- SWMS completed for every task prior to commencement on site
- Digital SWMS catalogue maintained per contract within our Integrated Management System
- Site-specific HSE induction for all employees and subcontractors at project mobilisation
- Monthly Toolbox Talks — safety, environmental and operational updates
- HIRAC methodology: Identify, Assess, Control, Monitor, Review
- ISO 31000 Risk Management Standard compliance
05 — Our Team
05In-house expertise,
nationally.
Air Theory’s team represents a genuinely rare combination — engineering qualification, trade certification, commercial management experience, and passive design knowledge, all in-house, across two cities. We do not outsource our core capability.
| Name & Role | Location | Experience & Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
|
Jacob Treadwell
Director / Principal Engineer
Assoc. Dip. Engineering (HVAC-R)
Cert IV Mechanical
ARCtick AU52285
Ltd Electrical Licence
|
📍 Sydney, NSW | 15+ years delivering HVAC, marine, and specialist mechanical projects across WA and NSW. Founded Treadies from sole trader to multi-state operation. Leads Air Theory’s design practice, high-performance consulting and passive house capability. Site manager — Mulla Mulla Camp (500 to 3,500 person upgrade, BHP Area C). Delivered Covid Quarantine Facility, Bullsbrook. Air Theory Consultancy — design, engineering and installation of HVAC and ventilation systems. |
|
Andrew Butt
General Manager / BDM
Dip. Project Management
Trade Cert (RAC)
ARCtick
Working at Heights
|
📍 Perth, WA | 35+ years industry experience across all facets of HVAC services. Portfolio account management for City of Perth, City of Swan, City of Rockingham, Town of Victoria Park, Rottnest Ferries and commercial factory portfolios. Subcontractor management with focus on risk management and cost control. CAPEX project management including decommissioning, installation, and commissioning of major HVAC plant. |
|
Rita Tabbash
Mechanical Engineer
B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering
MIEAust
NCC / BCA Compliance
AutoCAD & Revit
HVAC Load Modelling
|
📍 Sydney, NSW | Qualified mechanical engineer with expertise in HVAC system design, load analysis, and energy modelling for commercial and high-end residential projects. Proficient in NCC Section J compliance, AS 1668 ventilation design, and mechanical services coordination across architectural and structural disciplines. Contributes to Air Theory’s Sydney engineering capability across design development, IFC documentation, and tender packages. |
|
Patrick Huynh
Mechanical Engineer
B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering
MIEAust
HVAC Design & Analysis
AutoCAD & Revit
Energy Modelling
ARCtick
|
📍 Sydney, NSW | Mechanical engineer with hands-on HVAC experience spanning both design and field environments. Specialises in system design, energy efficiency analysis, and mechanical services documentation for commercial fitout, mixed-use, and high-performance residential projects. Brings practical trade-level understanding to engineering outputs — bridging the gap between design intent and installation reality. Supports design development, compliance, and construction-phase coordination across NSW projects. |
|
John Gallas
Leading Hand & Site Supervisor — NSW
Cert III Mechanical (HVAC-R)
Restricted Electrical Licence
ARCtick
Working at Heights
White Card
Basic First Aid
|
📍 Sydney, NSW | Experienced leading hand and site supervisor overseeing Air Theory’s NSW installation and maintenance projects. Strong trade background in mechanical services across commercial, residential, and mixed-use environments. Responsible for day-to-day site coordination, subcontractor supervision, SWMS compliance, and quality control. Ensures field delivery meets Air Theory’s standards from mobilisation through to commissioning and handover. |
|
Alex Bowell
Lead HVAC Technician
Cert III Mechanical (HVAC-R)
Restricted Electrical
High Risk Licence
Working at Heights
|
📍 Perth / National | 9+ years across Australia and Europe. Extensive experience in diagnostics, installation, service, and repair across all types of commercial HVAC equipment. Senior field delivery lead for Air Theory installation and maintenance programmes. |
|
Hayley McCulloch
Account & Operations Manager
Cert IV Accounting & Bookkeeping
|
📍 Perth, WA | Expert in job software management and documentation control. Responsible for scheduling, compliance tracking, client administration, and back-end process delivery across all Air Theory and Treadies contracts. Critical support to service and project delivery. |
|
Sydney Engineering Team
Engineers & Drafters — NSW
Mechanical Engineering
AutoCAD / Revit
BCA Compliance
|
📍 Sydney, NSW | Air Theory’s Sydney office provides in-house mechanical engineering, AutoCAD drafting, and NCC compliance services for NSW-based projects. Supporting high-end residential, commercial fitout, and mixed-use development across Greater Sydney and the Eastern Seaboard. |
Licences & qualifications.
| ARCtick Licence | AU52285 — Treadies PTY LTD |
| ABN | 74 648 940 541 |
| Associate Diploma Engineering | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning — South Metropolitan TAFE |
| Certificate IV Mechanical Services | Held by Director and senior field personnel |
| Certificate III Mechanical (HVAC-R) | All licensed field technicians |
| Limited Electrical Workers Licence | Australia and New Zealand — Director and senior technicians |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) | Rita Tabbash & Patrick Huynh — Engineers Australia (MIEAust) |
| Diploma of Project Management | GM / BDM |
| White Card Construction Induction | All site personnel |
| Working at Heights Certification | All field technicians |
| High Risk Work Licence | Lead HVAC Technician |
06 — Partnerships & Supply Chain
06Resourceful by design,
connected by intent.
Air Theory maintains strong working relationships with Australia’s leading mechanical equipment manufacturers, control system vendors, and specialist suppliers. These partnerships deliver preferred pricing, technical support, and product availability that smaller independent contractors cannot match.
Manufacturer & supplier relationships.
Subcontractor Network
For projects outside our direct field coverage, Air Theory draws on Treadies’ established national subcontractor network. All subcontractors are rigorously vetted before engagement:
- Current ARCtick licence and all relevant trade and electrical licences
- Minimum $20M public liability and professional indemnity insurance
- Documented safety management system and SWMS capability
- Demonstrated experience on comparable project types
- Alignment with Air Theory’s quality standards and client communication expectations
- Regular ongoing performance review — not a set-and-forget panel
Our Subcontractor Principle
We do not engage subcontractors as a cost-cutting exercise. Our network exists to extend geographic reach and specialist capability — not to reduce our standard. Every subcontractor on an Air Theory project operates under our IMS protocols, SWMS requirements, and reporting standards. The client experience remains consistent regardless of delivery model.
National Coverage
Through our own offices in Perth and Sydney, and our subcontractor network across WA, NSW, QLD, SA and VIC, Air Theory can service metropolitan and regional Australia without compromising delivery standard. No job is out of reach.
07 — Sustainability & Asset Management
07Engineering that performs
for the long term.
Sustainability is not a reporting requirement at Air Theory — it is an engineering philosophy. The best mechanical system uses as little energy as possible, achieves the best comfort possible, lasts as long as possible, and costs the least to maintain. That belief drives every design decision.
Energy Management Initiatives
Temperature Lockout & Reset Strategies
Outside air temperature lockout, chilled water and condenser water set point resets aligned to ambient conditions — reducing compressor runtime and energy draw.
Demand-Controlled Ventilation
Occupancy and motion-based ventilation control to AS 1668 — supplying only the fresh air that is actually needed, when it is actually needed.
Passive Design Integration
Thermal mass, cross-ventilation, and solar shading modelled before HVAC plant is sized — reducing plant capacity requirements from the brief stage.
Consumption Monitoring & Benchmarking
Base building load monitoring with overnight and unoccupied period benchmarking — identifying waste and enabling targeted corrective action.
Low-GWP Refrigerant Selection
A2L low-GWP refrigerant compatibility across all new equipment selection, positioning clients ahead of incoming regulatory requirements.
10–15%
Documented HVAC energy reduction
Achieved on comparable maintained commercial portfolios through systematic energy management integration — not theoretical, documented outcomes on real contracts.
Asset Life Cycle Management
Air Theory advises clients honestly on the total cost of ownership of mechanical plant — not simply what generates the largest installation contract. When major repairs are quoted, we independently assess remaining life and efficiency, and recommend replacement where it is the commercially superior outcome.
Rottnest Express Example
Life-cycle assessment identified screw compressor replacement over repair as commercially optimal — eliminating ongoing reactive maintenance costs and extending asset operational lifespan at a commercially viable ROI for the client.
Why Air Theory.
Fully In-House
Engineering, drafting, procurement, installation, commissioning. No dependency on external consultants or unknown subcontractors for core scope.
Turnkey Accountability
One contract, one point of contact, one warranty. We own the outcome from concept to commissioning.
Passive Design Experts
One of very few mechanical contractors in Australia with genuine passive house design capability integrated into the delivery model.
Premium Project Experience
We understand architecturally designed environments and work within them without compromising either the building or the system performance.
Perth & Sydney Offices
Permanent local teams in both major markets — not FIFO contractors. We know the climate, supply chain, and the authorities having jurisdiction.
Real Delivery Experience
Air Theory is built on trade experience. Not a consulting-only firm. Not a contractor without design capability. Both — under one roof.
© 2026 Air Theory — a Treadies PTY LTD brand. All rights reserved.
ABN 74 648 940 541 · ARCtick AU52285 · partner@airtheory.com.au