It's a wrap

One of the most distinctive elements of the Wharewaka building is the folded roof and canopy design that is reminiscent of a traditional Maori korowai or cloak.

Ullrich Aluminium manufactured, supplied and installed all of the aluminium cloak screens, which include 10 roof screens as well as the perimeter screens. Production manager John McDonald says 9.3 tonnes of standard anodising grade 25-micron aluminium was specified, with all the anodising carried out locally.

"With every piece in each screen a different size and angle, there were many complexities," he says. "For example, every angle had to be mitred to fit the required shape, and aluminium had to be manufactured and drilled prior to being anodised."

The cross bars were bolted to the aluminium perimeter angles using M8 mushroom head 316 stainless steel bolts, which will counter the potentially corrosive coastal conditions. Polyureseal isolating washers isolate the stainless steel bolts from the aluminium. The perimeter angled elements in turn were bolted to a steel frame, and isolated by neoprene washers.

McDonald says the sense of drama created by the cloak screens is enhanced by the louvre effect created by the angled cross bars. The colour of the anodising is also a factor. Approximately half the screens were anodised in silver, with the other half in black.

ULLRICH ALUMINIUM

PO Box 98843, Manukau City 2241Phone (09) 262 6262 Fax (09) 262 6265www.uacl.co.nz preid@uacl.co.nz

Story by: Trendsideas