Beca worked alongside the University of Auckland to develop creative solutions to achieve the architect's vision for an iconic building.
The University of Auckland Business School is located on the edge of Auckland's CBD. A stunning architectural form, it incorporates unusual features such as five bridges spanning the central atrium and massive frameless glass walls. The ends of the building cantilever up to six metres beyond the last row of columns.
The 74,000m2 building comprises a six-level tower and podium complex with a large public plaza space, and five levels of car parking. Teaching facilities include two 600-seat, two 300-seat and one 150-seat lecture theatres, four 75-seat case rooms and 12 computer laboratories.
Beca acted as project managers, also providing geotechnical, structural, civil and fire engineering services. In addition, Beca Architects developed the initial project brief for the new complex, carried out a site selection study and subsequently led an international design competition to select the architects.
Beca developed a structural design with the aim of being cost-effective and rapid to construct, achieving the architectural form, and integrating the functional requirements of the whole building – efficient use of space for car parks, large open lecture theatres, smaller offices for academic staff.
Conventional construction materials were combined in new ways to afford the large clear spans demanded by the building architecture. In addition, semi-rigid flange-bolted moment connections between the composite steel beams and concrete-filled steel tube columns, enabled the beams and columns to function as a limited ductile frame, thereby reducing the size of the frame elements and complementing the open architecture.
Awards
- 2009 Gold Award - Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand (ACENZ)
- 2008 Building and Construction Award - New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards
- 2008 Merit Award, Education and Arts Category - Property Council of New Zealand