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Author: Steph Clarke

Rankine Browne Library shortlisted for IStructE Awards

September 16, 2022September 20, 2022 Leave a Comment on Rankine Browne Library shortlisted for IStructE Awards

We’re excited to announce Rankine Brown Library has been shortlisted for the 2022 IStructE Awards.

Our Fire Engineering team in Aotearoa New Zealand were part of the project, led by BECA.

Judge’s comments: 

“Great pains have been taken to restore this library following earthquake damage and the efforts to justify the building through repairs and upgrade are admirable, providing enormous savings on the alternative of new construction. The design implemented improvements beyond code requirements under severe working constraints as the library remained in use throughout.

There was impressive communication of the engineer’s role in the process at a digestible level for everyone involved to understand. This communication of the complex works to building users throughout the project stands out as a good example of the importance of our profession: teamwork, communication, collaboration and responsiveness”.

The prestigious IStructE Awards celebrate engineering excellence on an international scale. Congratulations to all our project partners: 

Client: Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington

Structural Designer: Beca

Architect: Athfield Architects

Principal Contractor: LT McGuinness

Fire Engineering: Holmes NZ

Steelwork Subcontractor: MJH Engineering Limited

Building Services: Beca

Quantity Surveyor: RLB

 

Going Green: Sustainability in engineering. An interview with Lisa Oliver, Project Director

February 21, 2022September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on Going Green: Sustainability in engineering. An interview with Lisa Oliver, Project Director
‘For returning Kiwi with offshore experience in sustainability and design there has never been a better opportunity to bring those skills home and get involved in a wide variety of projects.’

Lisa Oliver, Project Director here at Holmes was recently interviewed by Kea New Zealand about her passion for mass timber design, her involvement in sustainability, and how Aotearoa New Zealand is well placed to lead the repurposing and strengthening of existing buildings.

Read her interesting insights and where structural engineering has taken her (and her family!) in the world here: Lisa’s Kea Interview

 

Assessing buildings after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

We’re the IStructE Supreme Award winners for 2021

January 26, 2022September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on We’re the IStructE Supreme Award winners for 2021

It doesn’t get more prestigious than this!

Our entry won not only our category for ‘Structural Heritage’ but also the highly coveted and exclusive Supreme Award, at the 2021 Structural Awards by The Institution of Structural Engineers.

Established in 1968, the Structural Awards are the world’s leading awards for structural engineering excellence. Winning both of these prestigious awards is an incredible achievement for everyone here at Holmes who worked on this exciting but challenging project that won–The Christchurch Town Hall. And our team of experts were not only the structural engineers but also the fire engineers for this important restoration project.

This conservation project demanded a full spectrum of technically complex structural and geotechnical solutions. Solving ground stabilisation issues and predicting the future performance of the structure and foundations were achieved through detailed analysis and intensive co-ordination between the geotechnical and structural engineers.

Complex analysis was employed to minimise the strengthening work required for the superstructure. The result preserves the original character and style of the building and protects the existing fabric – a positive both for sustainability and our client–Christchurch City Council.

The Judges commented, “This project is an excellent example of what structural engineers can bring to a devastated existing building. By understanding its behaviour and failure, the team was able to repair and preserve this important structure”.

Special thanks goes to our fantastic team of project partners as well:
Client: Christchurch City Council
Architect: WARREN AND MAHONEY
Principal Contractor: Hawkins
Commercial Manager: Rider Levett Bucknall
Geotechnical Engineer: Tonkin + Taylor
Quantity Surveyor: Rider Levett Bucknall

JUDGES’ COMMENT

Acclaimed for its architecture and acoustics, Christchurch Town Hall is a local landmark. Following devastating earthquakes in 2010 and  2011, the original building required significant structural repair and strengthening of the supporting foundations. This conservation project demanded a full spectrum of technically complex structural and geotechnical solutions. Ground stabilisation issues were solved and the future performance of the structure and foundations was predicted through detailed analysis and intensive co-ordination between the geotechnical and structural engineers. Complex analysis was employed to minimise the strengthening work required for the superstructure. The result preserves the original character and style of the building and protects the existing fabric – a positive both for sustainability and the client. This project is an excellent example of what structural engineers can bring to a devastated existing building. By understanding its behaviour and failure, the team was able to repair and preserve this important structure.

 

View the full list of 2021 IStructE Award Winners here.

Take a sneak peek of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

September 26, 2021September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on Take a sneak peek of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

Lockdown has put a pause on the opening of Te Pae (more than once!), but we’re just as excited to see this impressive NZ $475M convention centre completed and open to the public soon.

Te Pae, Christchurch’s new Convention and Exhibition Centre, is an ambitious project, creating a large mixed-use precinct in the heart of the city. The development has a large and varied stakeholder group, including Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Christchurch City Council, and the private sector—as well as the communities the centre will serve. Capable of hosting up to 2,000 delegates for a variety of national and international events, the state of the art centre includes a 1,400-delegate auditorium, a 3,600m² exhibition hall and 1,600m² of meeting rooms. This is a project of significant local and national importance, delivering a vital events hub that will attract domestic, national and international visitors and events.

In the challenging geotechnical conditions and seismic environment, our experience has been invaluable in designing a structure to stand the tests of time and form an important part of the city’s cultural and commercial landscape.

Client: Ōtākaro Limited
Main Contractor: CPB Contractors
Architects: Woods Bagot, WARREN AND MAHONEY
Structural Engineering: Holmes Consulting (NZ)
Geotech and Civil: Tonkin + Taylor
Services Engineers: WSP in New Zealand

Our client Ōtākaro Ltd. has released a sneak peek inside the nearly-completed building, take a look:

Commercial Bay wins Supreme Award at SESOC 2021

July 11, 2021September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on Commercial Bay wins Supreme Award at SESOC 2021

Exciting news, Commercial Bay won the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence 2021 at the Structural Engineering Society NZ (SESOC) Awards.

We are very proud of our team and our project partners that worked together to create a truly outstanding result. Commercial Bay isn’t just an incredible feat of engineering but an impressive mixed-use space like no other in New Zealand.

The project team included:

Client: Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited
Contractor: Fletcher Construction
Architects: WARREN AND MAHONEY (in association with Woods Bagot and NH Architecture)
Project Managers: RCP
Quantity Surveyors: RLB Pentad Quantity Surveyors
Building Services Consultant: NDYLIGHT
Geotechnical Consultant: Tonkin + Taylor
Fire Engineer: Holmes Fire

Congratulations to all the other projects and teams who won awards on the night.

Award-winning projects from Holmes: 2021 Interior Awards

July 1, 2021September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on Award-winning projects from Holmes: 2021 Interior Awards

Holmes is excited to be part of three fantastic projects that won at the 2021 Interior Awards:

  • Te Ao Mārama, Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland War Memorial Museum – Jasmax, fjmt studio, and Designtribe
  • Commercial Bay: PwC Tower Sky Lobby and MinterEllisonRuddWatts offices – Precinct Properties and WARREN AND MAHONEY; Precinct Properties and Jasmax
  • The Hotel Britomart – Cheshire Architects Ltd

Congratulations to our project partners and all the winners at this year’s awards.

Commercial Bay, Auckland

©Samuel Hartnett and Petra Leary

Auckland Museum Grand Atrium

Top: Commercial Bay
Bottom: The Hotel Britomart

Auckland War Memorial Museum

10 years on, take a peek inside the Christ Church Cathedral

December 3, 2020September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on 10 years on, take a peek inside the Christ Church Cathedral

At this stage it isn’t safe for anyone to go inside the Christ Church Cathedral due to the risk of falling materials, debris, and the potential for it to collapse. This drone footage, captured by engineers, has been invaluable for architects, heritage professionals, engineers, and contractors to view the interior and assess the damage without the need to endanger lives.

The current condition inside the cathedral is clearly shown in the drone footage (captured by Beca) and gives us an indication of where the structural damage is more severe. It allows us and our project partners to better determine and understand the Cathedral, and to help direct this important reinstatement project!

Watch the full video below, narrated by Heritage Professional and expert Jenny May.

Watch the guided virtual tour now!

 

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