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Submitted by: Kirk Roberts Consulting Engineers Ltd
Owner: New Zealand Metropolitan Properties Ltd
Architect: Sheppard & Rout
Consulting Engineer: Kirk Roberts Consulting Engineers Ltd
Contractor: Armitage Williams Construction
Sub-contractor: Firth - Canterbury Concrete
Summary:
Imposing, geometric and concrete the 3-storey, butterfly shaped, 3000m2 commercial building projects its design confidence from all angles. This is the first application, in New Zealand, of a PREcast seismic structural system (PRESSS) technology in a commercial structure. The technology ensures the building is designed to withstand a 1 in 2500 year seismic event, with minimal damage.
A cantilevered canteen on the top floor affords tenants sweeping views of Addington raceway – a pleasing promotional feature for the building owners – New Zealand Metropolitan Properties Limited
PRESSS technology is incorporated and provides an open floor plate with only 8 concrete shear walls that essentially brace the remaining structural steel building frame and its glazing centered around the amenities areas of the buildings. As well as providing strength and controlled stiffness the shear walls encase the stair wells for each of the 2 perimeter staircases along with the single lift shaft.
From an experiential perspective however it is the natural, unblemished and seemingly suspended concrete staircase that heightens attention on the buildings concrete aesthetic. On arrival in the voluminous 14 metre atrium the staircase invites usage in a grand gestural style – significantly diminishing the relevance of the comparatively insignificant lift.
