At 328m above street level, the Sky Tower in Auckland is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Now a national icon, it provides a unique visual experience for around a million visitors every year to look out over the Auckland metropolitan area and the surrounding seas and islands.
Beca was responsible for overall design management of the project, and geotechnical, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting and fire engineering services for the tower. Beca managed the administration of the contract and completed the project on budget and six months ahead of schedule.
Designing the tower presented numerous technical challenges. Safety aspects received particular attention, the tower is designed to withstand wind speeds in excess of 200km/hr and remain essentially undamaged in the event of a one-in-800 year earthquake.
The complexity of the tower – the first of its kind in New Zealand – presented special challenges. Fire design fell beyond the scope of local and international codes, and incorporated fire ratings, combustibility limits, smoke control, stair pressurisation, lift shaft venting, independent fire lifts, dual electrical supplies and high-flow sprinkler systems.
In addition to four public levels incorporating restaurants and viewing levels, there are several floors dedicated to telecommunications facilities.