The final design and construction brief settled on for this 18-unit walk-up apartment block in Flat Bush near the Ormiston Town Centre was an insitu poured concrete construction methodology. Each of the first and second story floors required a high fireproof rating as there are different apartments on each floor. The build methodology chosen also worked out to be cheaper and quicker to complete compared to various combinations of timber, precast and insitu methodologies that were also considered.
A design render is usually completed by the Architect prior to detailed designs being completed. Clients gain a better appreciation of what the final building might look like if a design render is provided. Features of the design of this residential apartment block incorporated columns and facing panels to soften the boxy shape of this multistorey complex. A mixture of colours and textures was also incorporated into the façade. Our design engineers can complete the total design, including drawings to building permit application stage or we can work collaboratively with the client’s own team of designers and architects, with our team focusing on the design engineering aspects of the building structure.
Once the designs are finalised, the necessary building consents, contracts and other pre-build administrative procedures are completed site works commence to prepare the ground levels and services provisions for the building.
The foundation slab is the first substantial building element that is constructed, and this building required a continuous line down the street of premixed concrete trucks to keep supply concrete up to the building team when undertaking the pour. A big team of personnel and a wide range of specialised equipment is employed to level and screed concrete slabs and floors.
Formwork was erected on the slab to enable walls and floors to be constructed. Concrete floors and walls achieve high fire ratings and are a minimal safety standard required for apartment buildings if separate apartments are on different levels.
The apartment in this photo can be seen to be very close to completion with internal fit out well underway while all the landscaping and outside work is being completed. A well-designed plan and a well-executed build that the design and build teams and the owners were proud to be associated with.
