Life in the fast lane

Wellington's proximity to seismic fault lines added to the complexity of the structural engineering for Chews Lane. Dunning Thornton Consultants, the company responsible for the structural engineering design for both the new and refurbished buildings, says the older buildings did not conform to current seismic engineering requirements.

Director Adam Thornton says four heritage structures were strengthened and refurbished. In addition, the existing six-storey heritage facade of the Ballinger Building was retained, while the main structure behind was demolished. To minimise disruption, an innovative temporary support system was utilised.

"Typically, such a project would involve an external vertical framework and trusses to support the facade an expensive and disruptive exercise. We were able to design a single, high-level, horizontal truss, effectively tying the facade to neighbouring properties. We then constructed new columns right through the old building, which were attached to the facade, and the existing structure was pulled down around these."

Thornton says the new apartment building also posed challenges. The company designed load transfer structures so the load from the tighter grid of the steel-framed apartment floors could be spread across the car park and office floors of the podia, which have larger concrete spans to provide spacious tenancies.

For more details, contact Dunning Thornton Consultants, PO Box 27-153, Wellington, phone (04) 385 0019. Website: www.dunningthornton.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas