Well connected

A construction boom and the need to manage two large projects on adjacent blocks of land were key challenges for the builder of 7 London Circuit. Thiess Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Leighton Holdings, won the design-and-construct tenders for 7 London Circuit and 18 Marcus Clarke Street.

Operations manager Steve Holden says Thiess needed to integrate many aspects of the two projects, including the roadworks, drainage and site development. But to ensure the work was completed on time and to budget, separate teams were contracted for each project.

Holden says the iconic roof incorporates complex three-way curves. So, as part of the detailed planning, the company employed 3D Modelling and Clash Detection for the structure and services.

"State-of-the-art data systems were included within the building services, as National ICT Australia is at the forefront of technology."

As the company also undertook integrated fit-outs for DAFF and National ICT Australia, there were four separate handovers.

Holden says sourcing local subcontractors in critical trades was a challenge, with Thiess needing to add supplementary resources from Sydney and Melbourne.

Key construction challenges included providing a seamless integration between the two interconnecting floorplates of the building. The roof alignment and finish were also critical.

"As the roof is overlooked by the 18 Marcus Clarke building, it needed a high-quality finish, with a minimal number of service penetrations," says Holden.

"The quality of these buildings and the speed of construction have been recognised as establishing a new benchmark in Canberra."

For more information, contact Thiess Pty Ltd, Level 5, 26 College St, Sydney, NSW 2000, phone (02) 9332 9444, fax: (02) 9331 4264.

Story by: Trendsideas