Thursday, May 15, 2008

Geelong Advertiser, Saturday May 10, 2008


This exciting article featured on pages 14 & 15 of the Geelong Advertiser on Saturday 10 May 2008. It details the proposal for the development of a cultural precinct along Little Malop St which would include a redeveloped performing arts centre, library/heritage centre, Courthouse youth arts centre, an extended art gallery, bars and cafes.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

CHRISTIAN COLLEGE / EPICENTRE DEVELOPMENT


Came across this development whilst driving today. It is located at the corner of the Colac and Anglesea Roads in Waurn Ponds, on the former site of the Geelong Epicentre. The site is currently operated as the Christian College Arts and Technology Centre.

It was interesting to note how portal frame technology was being employed on a much smaller scale to what we had previously been exposed to. At the time of these photos, the slab cured and erection of the steel frame work was well underway.


UB column connected to footing through deeply-set bolts


Bolted apex joint


End wall detail showing connection to existing timber structure


Bollted knee joint with stiffening plates


Temporary props support the steel columns



Steel brackets connect purlins to rafter


Floor slab detail showing waterproof membrane and flange plate and grout under steel column


Internal timber stud walls laid out ready for erection

Friday, May 9, 2008

Geelong Advertiser, Saturday, April 26 & Tuesday, May 6, 2008


These articles, featured in the Geelong Advertiser on 26 April and 6 May, detail a review being conducted on Geelong's Waterfront Master Plan. Included in the first article is the proposal of an exhibition and convention centre that interestingly enough plans to take in the Deakin University student & staff car park!




Major Project

Our team decided to investigate the construction technologies employed in design of Norman Foster's Renault Distribution Centre in Swindon, UK, 1980-82.




The following images were used in our initial investigations and helped developed an understanding of the structural process of the building. Images are courtesy of:

N Foster, Foster Associates: Buildings & Projects, I Lambot (ed.), Watermark, Hong Kong, 1996


Floorplan


Section through split-level showroom/office space


Section through warehouse space


Roof plan showing sail structure and skylights


Exploded isometric showing the construction process of one 24x24m bay



As a team it was determined that the Renault Distribution Centre design best be applied to our site and conditions through six 24x24m bays, arranged as follows:


Proposed Site Plan


Proposed Roof Plan


These early drawings were used to determine the window layout of each facade, based on the floorplan and the sun movement.



This image (provided by www.dexion.com.au) was used in determining the internal layout of shelving in the warehouse.



Final Elevations:

NorthEast
South

West


3D representation:
My 5x5m model details each connection point in the generic steel columns:


Final A1 Presentations:




Herald Sun, Saturday, May 3, 2008


This article, written by Terry Brown, featured on Page 29 of the Herald Sun on Saturday May 3 2008. It discusses the untapped potential of Melbourne's Jolimont railyards, described by Brown as "arguably the best undeveloped piece of Melbourne". The site is estimated to be worth in excess of $700 million dollars, and this article explores several suggested proposals by some of Victoria's leading developers, as well as the ideas of Melbourne University Architecture and Design graduates, who spent half of 2007 studying various options for the site.


Monday, May 5, 2008

TAC HEADQUARTERS DEVELOPMENT

ARTISTS IMPRESSION:

The new TAC headquarters, a state-of-the-art building that will meet high standards in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, is currently being constructed on Brougham street, by developers, FKP.


Image courtesy of www.realcommercial.com.au

The new building will accommodate approximately 700 staff, with 300 car parking spaces on site.
Designed to maximise foot traffic, the building will act as a thoroughfare by offering an internal pedestrian walkway linking Brougham and Corio Streets.


Image courtesy of www.realcommercial.com.au

The TAC Development is designed to adhere to new standards in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. FKP Property Group is incorporating Ecologically Sustainable Development principles to the building with the aim to achieve a 5 star, Green Star rating.


Image courtesy of www.realcommercial.com.au

Text supplied by:

www.geelongpremiumretail.com.au
www.tac.vic.gov.au


CURRENT PROGRESS:


This aerial photograph was taken early during the construction of the lower floors. Good construction management has been employed through the overall tidiness of the site. The bottom left of the photo shows erection of the pre-cast concrete stairwells.


The following photos were taken several months later, with construction well and truly underway. It is worthy to note the extensive scaffolding required on a project of this stature.




This photo shows workers preparing the timber formwork required in preparation for the pouring of each concrete floor.




A crane delivers a pile of steel reinforcing mesh to the upper floors


This worker is fitting what appears to be a sprinkler system to the Bondek ceiling of the ground floor


Traffic along Brougham St is halted as a truck delivers some pre-cast concrete paneling. In such a restricted site, it was interesting to observe the application of a traffic management system.





Monday, April 28, 2008

DENNYS LASCELLES REFURBISHMENT

The Dennys Lascelles building is an original woolstore structure, built in 1934. It has remained un-renovated and in a state of disrepair since it was obtained by the University in 1992.

Through reconfiguration and expansion of the existing floors and structure and the inclusion of atrium spaces, it is proposed to create an exciting multi purpose environment, providing light filled spaces of varying dimensions. The historic ambience of the building will be coupled with the use of leading-edge technology and environmental sustainability for which Deakin University is well known. The prominent corner location offers potential for a dramatic blending of Geelong’s history with its new directions. The current designs will see the building transformed into 6 levels with a central atrium and a new face to Cunningham Street.

The following photos were taking during a site visit on April 28, 2008.


View of annex to be enclosed with curtain wall with a Hollow Core precast slabs ceiling. Props have been employed to temporarily support the columns. Good safety practice has also been observed through the use of orange safety mesh and orange columns to elevate electrical leads.


Precast lift core tied back to existing structure with steel brackets, bolted connection. Note the use of circular hollow section cross bracing for additional lateral support.


Regulations require the use of a goods lift (shown) for demolition and transportation of materials between floors. The hire and installation of temporary lifts can be expensive and is generally avoided where possible.

Specially designed white paint has been used on steel columns to achieve the necessary fire rating. This paint absorbs heat and provides a 2-hour safety time as per the Building Regulations. In order to gain approval for the development of this site, a Fire Engineering Assessment Report was required because of the large quantity of timber within the structure. The installation of sprinklers (not shown) is highly favorable.


This detail shows the bolted steel cleats used to support the upper floor beams. In order to achieve the desired height of 3.6m floor-to-floor (2.7m ceiling + services), each floor had to be raised from its original height of 3m, as shown by the holes in the column.


The construction manager has employed further site safety measures through the erection of an Emergency Information Board on each floor. This board is equipped with First Aid, and a fire extinguisher, as well as contact details for those qualified in hoist operation and administering First Aid.

Steel framework has been used for the majority of the internal fit-out. For a project this size, steel frames require less labour as they come with the advantage of being straight (as opposed to poorer quality timber which may need to be plane shaved or require masonite packing strips), resulting in cheaper labour costs. A disadvantage is that due to their thin section they are difficult to fix to or hang from unless allowed for prior to internal cladding.


Internal stairs were precast by Hollow Core and are of a very high factory quality; better than what could have been achieved in-situ.


Level 5 and 6 are additions to the existing building, therefore enabling structure to be engineered with columns more spaced. These levels have been provided for future occupancy, with the final fit-out yet to be determined. (Level 5 shown).


This detail shows one of four large exhaust fans installed above Level 6. Two of these are ‘smoke spill’ fans, designed to trigger during fire and remove smoke through the central atrium of the building. The remaining two are triggered by rising temperature and are used to expel heat from the building on hot days.


PLESE NOTE:
Introductory text was supplied, with courtesty, by Deakin University Facilities Management Service Division. For further information on this project please visit the Dennys Lascelles Refurbishment website, or the Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Masterplan.