Challenges And Solutions In Refurbishing A 9-Level Car Park Structure.pdf

- Location: 53 Albert Street, Brisbane, QLD
- Contractor: Hutchinson Builders
- Project Type: Refurbishment and new construction on a nine-level car park into an office tower
- Cost: $70 million
- Completion Date: 18 February 2009
- Leasing Status: Entire building fully leased

Key Features:

- Conversion of existing car park to include retail space, office tower lobby, secure loading, and 13 new levels for A-grade commercial office space.
- New transfer slab at level 10 and conventional construction above.
- Innovative structural features, including the re-use and reinforcement of 40% of the original car park slab structure.
- Cutting a 13 x 20 metre hole through all nine existing floors to accommodate two new lift cores.
- Stabilization of the existing structure while excavating for a seven-meter deep lift core pit.

Challenges:

- Mounting a crane on the roof of the existing structure and cutting holes through all nine levels.
- Back-propping each level as the hole was cut down, from top to bottom.
- Stabilizing the existing structure during excavation for the new lift cores.

Contractual Approach:

- Hutchinson Builders, with over 900 staff and exceptional financial capacity, adopted a cooperative and flexible approach.
- Blades Project Services provided project management, development management, and contract supervision from feasibility to completion.
- DG Engineers (AUST) Pty Ltd led by Marco Ficca designed the structural elements, leveraging their international experience for innovative solutions.

Success Factors:

- Thorough feasibility studies by Blades Project Services eliminated unexpected issues during construction.
- Efficient planning, coordination, and value management by Blades contributed to project success.
- Oneform Group provided formwork expertise throughout the project.