FROM EARTH TO SKY

Careful modeling was needed to ensure the safety of the cantilevered timbers at the entrance

A view of some structural engineering work done structure, gray, red — A view of some structural engineering work done on the Te Puia Marae by Sinclair Knight Merz.

A view of some strcutural engineering work done architecture, evening, facade, landmark, light, lighting, night, reflection, sky, street light, brown

A view of some structural engineering work done architecture, darkness, light, lighting, night, structure, tourist attraction, wood, black, red

For a site that bubbles and seethes with geothermal activity, it's perhaps surprising that many of the big engineering challenges were posed by the architecture itself. One of the most interesting was the formal entrance structure, which needed careful structural engineering analysis, says Bruce Winks of Sinclair Knight Merz.

"The cantilevered timber columns were at different angles and different heights some as high as 16 metres," he says. "We used computer modelling to work out the loading, and to avoid the sort of creep associated with timber. We knew the lighting mesh would act as a wind catcher, putting further stress on the structure.

"Our solution was to develop a specific foundation design that would suit the particular soil and structural conditions."

Electrical services to the project included the installation of all lighting for Te Puia. Feature lighting was installed to highlight the mesh wrapped around the entrance structure. Each light is timed to glow and dim over variable time intervals, to suggest a lava flow.

The mechanical engineers recommended a displacement ventilation system for the interactive visitors' gallery. The system is suitable for venues with large fluctuations of people and temperatures.

For details, contact Sinclair Knight Merz, phone (09) 520 6069. Email: bwinks@skm.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas

22 Jun, 2007

Retail Design

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