Precast NZ

Mathematics & Statistics & Computer Sciences Building University of Canterbruy.
The cell-like offices, angled to the northern sun, are subdivided by regularly spaced pre-cast concrete panels.

St Peters New Technology Building Precast exposed aggregate panels enclose the building on the three sides exposed to the motorway whilst the forth side, facing the quadrangle is predominantly glazed.

The new Jade Stadium West The stand, which makes extensive use of precast concrete technologies, is structurally organised as a system of stressed radial walls in preference to column and beam frames.

Supplied courtesy of Architectus Auckland

Spencer on Byron Hotel, located in Shore City. 23 stories and floor area 1000 sq. m.
An example of a precast cruciform frame construction system.

The example cruciform precast system shown needs only 4 to 6 personnel working 9 hour days to achieve a record 4 days per floor construction rate.

Because the builders, Multiplex Construction, were able to achieve 4 days per floor the structural frame was removed from the building program critical path.

Spencer Byron details supplied courtesy of Stephen R Mitchell, structural engineers and designers for this project.

Royal Sun Alliance
A concrete structure, with a shear core surrounding the lifts and a moment resisting perimeter frame, was selected to minimise wind induced building vibration and to satisfy other structural and architectural design objectives.

Extensive use was made of precast concrete including prestressed floor units, cantilever floor slabs, and beams complete with precast beam / column joint zones, to speed up construction and to simplify the work on site. Precast concrete enabled time and cost objectives to be met and ensured a high quality structure.

Transparent mock-ups of beam / column joints were made and test grouted off site to establish the feasibility and quality of grouted connections

Royal Sun Alliance details supplied courtesy of Murray Jacobs Ltd. structural engineers and designers for this project

The Rennaissance Center, an 18 Level residential apartment complex situated in the heart of Manukau City. Using precast structural elements, the Contractors completed this structure well under budget, & 7 weeks ahead of schedule.

Precast components used on this project included Tee shaped cruciforms with fin panels, balconies, shell beams, flooring units and lift shaft shells

3D CAD was used extensively during documentation to ensure buildability and provide accurate and easily understandable drawings. By modeling from the outset, many potential clashes were avoided, resulting in finer tolerances and less hold-ups on site.

Rennaisance Center details and images supplied courtesy of Buller George Engineers

The Bo Concept Store designed by JASMAX is a new multi-storey furniture showroom, warehouse and office complex on the northern slopes of Auckland's Maungawhau (Mt Eden) making extensive use of precast concrete wall and floor elements. North and South flanking walls comprising 200 and 150 mm thick precast wall panels, in places, rise up to 5 storeys in height.

Incorporating cast-in 'dimples' for visual interest, the unpainted panels, which simultaneously performs both structure and cladding functions, provided a cost effective and expedient building solution that imbued the overall project with a 'raw' aesthetic consistent with the urban hinterland it occupies.

Suspended, frameless glass, louvre panels and profiled translucent and metal wall claddings form visually open ends to the precast 'box' and provide a materially rich counterpoint to its 'muted' mass.

Bo Concept Store details supplied courtesy of JASMAX, the architects for the project

The Mokau River Bridge
The Mokau River Bridge is located in a beautiful and remote rural coastal area on SH3, 70km north of New Plymouth. The two-lane 230 m long, curved bridge, completed in December 2001.

It replaced a 70-year-old single-lane, steel girder structure, and is made up of nine 26 m long pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete girder spans, supported by single column piers on piled foundations.

Precast concrete was used to maximise durability within the marine environment, and each girder was detailed for optimum precasting, despite the fact that none were the same due to the varying deck geometry.

Details supplied by Beca, engineering design consultants and construction managers on the Mokau River Bridge Replacement project