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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.

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.

A night of celebrations for our Holmes people and projects at the SESOC Awards!

Last week our team attended the Structural Engineering Society (SESOC) Conference in New Zealand—we’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our people and project partners.

First, Hamish McKenzie was awarded SESSOC Life Membership—well-deserved recognition for many years of service and representing Holmes on committees and other SESOC groups, including a term as President in recent years.

We also had an amazing night at the awards ceremony, where Holmes got more Ithan our share of the silverware. We entered three projects, and all of them got a medal! The three award-winning projects are listed below:

• Observatory Hotel at the Arts Centre (won a commendation)
• Te Pae Building (received best in category)
• Christ Church Cathedral Stabilisation (received best in category)

These achievements were incredible recognition for some truly world class seismic engineering.

On Thursday May 3rd, 2018, the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) held their 2018 Wellington Architecture Awards.

There were 11 non-residential projects, which include a fire engineering component, and we are pleased to be involved on the consultancy team for seven out of the 11 projects honoured. Listed below are these seven award winning projects;